Adams Family Correspondence, volume 12

John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 9 May 1797 Adams, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Boylston
John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams
My dear Brother. The Hague 9 May 1797.

Messrs: Moliere, will this day extend your credit with their correspondent at Paris, to the amount of 4000 livres more. This I presume will amply suffice for your occasions.

I requested you by my last letter, to be here not later than the 25th: of this month. There is to be a Ball on that day at the Hotel de Suéde. The Count desires me to tell you, that you will be very much wanted as a danser; that he cannot excuse you, and what is more, that if you do not come to attend it, Mlle N— will never forgive you.1

General Pinckney and his family are gone to Rotterdam.2 The Fair is not remarkably brilliant.3 I do not hear as yet of any fête for the peace. I have this day your letter of 15. Floréal.4

Mr: König went from this, three or four days after you.5 If you see him, remember me kindly to him, and to all my other friends at Paris.

Your affectionate brother.

115

LbC in TBA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr: T. B. Adams.”; APM Reel 130.

1.

Count Fredrik Adolf Löwenhielm’s ball was held instead on 23 May in honor of François Noël and his new wife. JQA, who had been asked to “do the honours” by sitting at the head of one of the four supper tables, described the company as “numerous and agreeable.” “Mlle N——” was Miss Nahuys, a sister of Catharina Nahuys Schimmelpennick whom TBA had socialized with and described as handsome (D/JQA/24, APM Reel 27; M/TBA/2, 21 Jan. 1795, APM Reel 282).

2.

The Pinckney family visited Rotterdam from 8 to 11 May 1797 (D/JQA/24, APM Reel 27).

3.

A fair was held at The Hague between 8 and 17 May. JQA attended several times and saw various performances, including juggling and glassblowing (same).

4.

Not found.

5.

Likely Carl Gustaf König (1764–1852), the former Swedish chargé d’affaires to the Netherlands and Portugal, who served as chargé d’affaires to France from Nov. 1796 to May 1797 (O. Schutte, comp., Repertorium Der Buitenlandse Vertegenwoordigers, Residerende in Nederland 1584–1810, The Hague, 1983, p. 525–526).

John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 12 May 1797 Adams, John Quincy Johnson, Louisa Catherine
John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson
The Hague 12. May. 1797.

And is it possible that my charming friend should feel an uneasy sentiment a sentiment of fear in sitting down to write to me: to me, the friend of her Heart, who would rather suffer a thousand torments than give her a moment of pain?— I am really ashamed of myself for having by morose expressions chilled the feelings of a breast which was formed for the reception of none but warm and kind, and generous sentiments.— Pardon!— pardon!—my gentle friend. Believe not that my worst humour has ever extended to my tenderness for you. Amidst a thousand crosses, I have not kept my temper mild and placid and unruffled, as that of a Philosopher ought to be, and when we are provoked to petulance, any thing, however distant from the cause of irritation becomes obnoxious to it.— With you indeed, I ought to be always amiable; and always ought to avoid, what I now have to excuse— I will endeavour to acquire that controul over myself, and I well know how unnecessary even the remotest appearance of harshness is in signifying disapprobation to you.

I have written to your father by this Post.—1 I am afraid that the only possible chance, I see for our meeting again in Europe, will fail me like all the former. If so we must still continue the painful practice of Patience.

The certainty, of an immediate passage from England to Lisbon, in a neutral vessel, with such accommodations as would suffise for you, will induce me to overlook every other consideration. Engaged 116 as I am in the service of the public, a detention in England, for the chance of an opportunity which might not happen for months, would be inconsistent with my duties, to which I am bound to sacrifice if necessary, every private concern.— If the expedient which I have suggested to your father meets his approbation and has your consent, we shall yet have the happiness of completing our union in Europe— You know the Man you have chosen, for the friend of your life— You know him the better, for that absence, which has at once shewn you a trial of his affection and of his temper.— He has disguised to you none of his failings and weaknesses. You know the chances of hardship, inconvenience and danger, which you may be called to share with him. You know his inviolable attachment to his Country, and his resolute determination not to continue long his absence from it.— You know that upon his retirement, the state of his fortune will require privations, which will be painful to him only as they may affect you. Choose, Louisa, choose for yourself, and be assured that his Heart will ratify your choice.

I shall remain here time enough in all probability to receive your answer to this. If the opportunity for a passage from England can be assured, I shall immediately come to you. If not, let us submit with resignation to the will of Providence, and acquiesce in the separation which we could not prevent. Above all, retain unabated your affection for your friend, and believe him unalterably yours.

A.2

RC (Adams Papers); FC-Pr (Adams Papers).

1.

In his letter to Joshua Johnson, also of 12 May, JQA described his difficulty finding a neutral vessel sailing between London and Lisbon and accepted Johnson’s offer of passage in the schooner Mary, as long as LCA was willing to travel in the small vessel; otherwise, he would make arrangements to travel aboard a Danish vessel departing from Amsterdam (Adams Papers).

2.

JQA wrote a similar letter to LCA on 19 May repeating that he held slim hope of meeting with her in Europe. He also noted TBA’s imminent return from Paris and the closing of the local fair (Adams Papers).