Papers of John Adams, volume 19
of the United Netherlands
A Memorial
6 March 1788
The Subscriber, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, has the honour to communicate to your High Mightinesses, a Resolution an Act of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, by which he is recalled from his Mission to your High Mightinesses & permitted to revisit his native Country.
The Wisdom and Magnanimity, with which your High Mightinesses manifested your Friendship to the United States of America in the year, one Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighty two, contributed to accellerate that general Peace of the World which has lasted So long: and the Candour and Goodness of your High Mightinesses, and of the whole Republick to the Subscriber, as well as to his Country, have made Impressions on his Mind,2 which neither Time, nor Place can ever oblitterate.
In terminating his Residence in Europe and in taking a respectful Leave of your High Mightinesses, he begs leave to express his Thanks for all Indulgences and Attentions to himself, and his ardent Wishes for the Happiness of your High Mightinesses and your Families and his Sincere Assurances, that in whatever Country he may be, he shall never cease to pray for the Liberty the Independence and the Universal Prosperity of the whole Republick of the United Netherlands
Done at the Hague this Day of March A.D. 1788
John Adams.
Dft (Adams Papers); docketed: “Memorial”; notation by TBA: “to / The States General—”
JA presented this memorial to the States General at The Hague on 6 March, bringing to a formal close the diplomatic duties that he had undertaken there since 1780. He also composed a French-language version of the same text, which the States General accepted (Nationaal Archief:Staten-Generaal, inv. no. 7461). JA’s departure earned only a brief mention in European newspapers, including the 11 March 1788 Gazette d’Amsterdam, which reported the news of his final audiences. See also
JA’s memorial to William V, presented a day later, below.
In the French text, JA wrote “coeur,” or heart.
Prince of Orange and Nassau Hereditary Statholder
and Governor, of the United Provinces of the Low Countries.
A Memorial
7 March 1788
The Subscriber, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, has the Honour to communicate to your Most Serene Highness, a Resolution of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, the Original of which he has already had the Honour of 285 laying before their High Mightinesses the States General by which he is recalled from his Mission to this Republick, and permitted to return to his native Country.
As The Subscriber had the Honour to be originally accredited, by the United States of America, in Congress assembled to your Most Serene Highness, it is his Duty, as well as his Inclination, in taking a respectfull Leave of your Most Serene Highness, to express his Thanks, for all the Civilities, he has, from time to time received, at your Highness’s Court: and to present his Sincere Wishes for every Blessing and Felicity to your Most Serene Highness, Your Royal Consort, and illustrious Family.
Done at the Hague this Seventh day of March 1788
RC (Nationaal Archief:Stadhouderlijke Secretarie, inv. no. 338).