Papers of John Adams, volume 20

From Mary Palmer

From Wilhem & Jan Willink

To John Adams from Hendrik Fagel, 30 November 1789 Fagel, Hendrik Adams, John
From Hendrik Fagel
Monsieúr. a la Haÿe ce 30 novembre 1789

La lettre, dont voús m’avés honoré le 26 de Maÿ m’est bien parvenúe dans son temps, avec le second, et troisieme tome de Votre Oúvrage, qué je desirois beaucoúp d’avoir, a caúse de son contenú interessant.1 La maniere, dont voús avés developpé vos principes sur̃ la meilleúre forme de gouvernement ne peut etre qu’approuveé generalement, et il seroit a soúhaiter, qu’il pút etre súivi par toút, mais les circonstances ne permettent pas toújoúrs de le mettre en exécution. J’ai appris avec ún veritable plaisir, Monsiéur, qué le nouveaú gouvernement voús a choisi, comme Vice-President, dont j’ai l’honneúr de voús feliciter. Soús votre sage direction, et celle de Votre Illústre Chef, on ne peút, qué bien augurer poúr la Republiqué des Etats Unis, à laquelle je souhaite toúte sorte de bonheúr et de prosperité, avec la conservation de la paix, quí voús convient, aússi bien qu’a noús. Dieú veuille noús l’accorder longtemps.

Notre ami commún, Dr Maclaine a eté tres sensible a Votre souvenir.2 Il voús donnera lui meme de ses nouvelles. Il ne me reste, qué de voús assúrer de la haute estime, et de l’attachement respectúeux, avec lequél j’ai l’honneúr d’etre, / Monsieúr / Votre tres humble et / tres obeissant serviteúr

H. Fagel.
TRANSLATION
Sir The Hague, 30 November 1789

The letter that you honored me with of the 26th of May reached me in due time, along with the second and third volumes of your work, which I greatly desired to have because of its interesting contents.1 The way in 187 188 which you have developed your principles on the best form of government can only be broadly approved of, and it is to be hoped that it may be followed everywhere, yet circumstances do not always allow it to be implemented. I was genuinely delighted when I learned, sir, that the new government chose you as vice president, for which I have the honor of congratulating you. Through your wise guidance and that of your illustrious leader, one can only anticipate good things for the republic of the United States, for which I wish every kind of happiness and prosperity, with preservation of peace, which is as agreeable to you as it is to us. May God grant us it for a long time yet.

Our mutual friend, Dr. Maclaine was very touched by the memory of you.2 He will give you his news. It remains only for me to guarantee you the high esteem and respectful attachment with which I have the honor to be, sir, your most humble and obedient servant.

H. Fagel.

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

Vol. 19:474–475.

2.

Rev. Archibald MacLaine, Presbyterian pastor of the English Church at The Hague, had last corresponded with JA in 1783 (vol. 15:45–46).