Papers of John Adams, volume 21
The bearer of this Letter, Mr: D’Hauteval, is a french Gentleman from the Island of St: Domingo, where he had lately the misfortune
to lose a plantation of great value, by the devastation of the insurgent
negroes.1 He has been
about two months in this town, where I have frequently had the pleasure of
meeting him in Company, and where his amiable manners have entitled him to
as much esteem, as his misfortunes had claimed respect. He now proposes to
spend a short time at Philadelphia, and I take the opportunity in compliance
with his wishes, and at the same time as a gratification of my own, to
introduce him to your acquaintance.
I am, dear Sir, your affectionate Son.
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “The Vice-President of the United
States / Philadelphia.”; endorsed: “J. Q. Adams”; notation by
JQA: “Hond: by / Mr: d’Hauteval.”
Lucien Hauteval, a wealthy sugar planter and member
of the colonial assembly of St. Domingue, fled the violence of the
Haitian Revolution and resettled in Paris in 1796. For his later role as
Agent Z in the XYZ Affair, see
AFC
, 12:437 (Harlow Giles Unger, John Quincy Adams, Boston, 2012, p.
112).