Papers of John Adams, volume 20

From John Brown Cutting

From François Adriaan Van der Kemp

TRANSLATION
Sir Kensington, 18 June 1790

Your patience in reading the first volume of the history of which I have the honor to send you the sequel encouraged me enough to take that liberty, and I embrace it with even greater alacrity as it gives me the chance to reach out again to one of the men whose memory is most precious to me. I enclosed a complete duplicate copy so that you may hand it to a given translator in case you have cause to consider that, by presenting topics most 385 familiar to Americans, this written work would be worth the trouble of translating it for them.1

It has now been two months since my return from a long voyage which you witnessed me begin, sir, and the conclusion of which presented me far more gratifying perspectives than those which Holland offered us in February 1788. I return with Lord Eardley’s son to take up a new course for which, in the present conditions in Europe, we would well need eyes as experienced as yours, and I need not tell you, I believe, with how much satisfaction I would fulfill the orders you may wish to forward to me at the address of David Chauvet Esquire Kensington square, Kensington. 2

I have just addressed your two volumes on the American constitution to a very good literary agent from Lausanne, Mr. Berenger, inviting him to undertake its translation, and to have it ready for the second French Legislative Assembly.3 The non-division of their legislative body which was perhaps so necessary for its establishment seems to be nearly irreconcilable with the necessary means to maintain it, and I will be truly reassured of lasting French liberty only when the legislative body shall be shared between two parties.

I have the honor to be, with a profound respect, sir, your most humble, and most obedient servant

F d’Ivernois