Adams Family Correspondence, volume 3
1778-04-19
This Letter will be delivered you, by two Gentlemen who are returning to America, Sir James Jay of New York, a Brother of The Hon. John Jay, once a Member of Congress, now Chief Justice of that state. The other is Mr. Digges a Gentleman from South Carolina.
These Gentlemen will be able to give you, a particular Account of all the News. I should be obliged to you if you would introduce Dr. Cooper to them, and such other Gentlemen as wish to know the state of Things in France and England.
The American Cause stands very high in Europe, at present: And it is the prevailing Opinion, that even Great Britain herself, will acknowledge our Independence, as soon as she shall see that We are inflexibly determined to support it, which no doubt, she will be convinced off, by the Reception which will be given to her Commissioners.1
As to France—I must confess, that the Friendship prevailing here for America, is more universal and more cordial, than I expected to find it.
16And the Reception, I have met with, in every Part of the Kingdom that I have seen, has been much more distinguished than I ever foresaw.
There is Intelligence of great Importance to America, which I am not at Liberty to put in Writing, but which perhaps may come to your Knowledge before this shall reach you.
My little son, sends his Duty. He is very well, and in a good school.
That is, the conciliatory commissioners, headed by the Earl of Carlisle, then on their way from England to America. Since they arrived some weeks after the Franco-American treaties reached Congress, their “Reception” was of the kind that JA hoped for and predicted. See Burnett, ed., Letters of Members
, 3:xvi–xix, xxii–xxiii.
1778-04-20
I now Sit down to Write a few Lines To inform you That I am now at a good School which I like very Well. I will now give you an account how We live here at 6 o Clock in the morning We get up and go in to School and Stay till half after 8 When We Breakfast and Play till 9 When We go in & Stay till 12 When We dine after dinner we Play till 2 When We go in and Stay till half after 4 When We Come out and Play till five When We go in and Stay till half after 7 When We Sup after Supper We go up and Stay about an hour and go to bed
I Suppose before this reaches you you will hear of the Treaty Concluded between France and america Which I believe will rouse the hearts of the americans exceedingly and also of the desire of the English To make Peace with us and of the Commisioners dispacthd from England for that Purpose.