Papers of John Adams, volume 7
1778-09-26
I was this morning honoured by the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant. The embarrassment which your kind proposal has afforded me is inexpressible. Being left to judge for myself at a very inexperienc'd time of life, at a distance from every friend, whom, the necessity of an immediate answer renders it impossible for me to consult. From you, Sir, who I trust art my Father's friend, and mine, I request advice.
Whether will an incessant application of ten or eleven hours per day at my Pen answer the purposes for which I left my native Country, which were to acquire a knowledge of the French Language and to qualify myself for business. To make myself Master of the Language will require a degree of study as well as practice in conversation; my youth also demands some application to different branches of litterature, in order to dispel that ignorance which is the natural attendent of it. In my humble opinion, Sir, by incessant writing these ends cannot be answered.
But if on the other hand you ask only a moderate application of six or seven hours per day, I ought certainly to embrace the opportunity of rendering some service to my Country (which will ever be the height of my ambition) and of being near and serviceable to a Person who has been and still is so useful to it. The small emoluments which you mention will have no influence on my determination for it is my benefit in regard to education which I seek, and not interest.
If Sir after considering the motives of my residence in France, you still think it advantagious for me to accept your offer (of the great advantage of which I am very sensible) you will have the goodness to 81inform me in your answer to this letter,1 upon the receipt of which, if conformable to your advice, I will immediately set out for Paris.
I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir Your most obedt. most humb. Servant
No reply by JA to this letter has been found. On 30 Sept., Vernon, apparently realizing that he had not given JA his address, wrote that any reply should be addressed “to the care of Messrs. St. Geniés and Revellat freres Negociants Montauban” (Adams Papers). In the same letter he thanked JA for his correspondence and for forwarding letters to him.
1778-09-26
Last post I have had the honour of writing to you laying before you Mr. Peltier du Doyer's answer to my demand of the Thereze's Cargo and beging your directions in that affair, but after reflection I have thought that it was proper to lay an arrest in his Hands claiming the delivery of those goods on my Bill of Loading to prevent his remitting the proceeds to Paris, before I received your Answer,1 which I have done this morning, and which I doubt not you will approve.
The Inventory of the Arsenal is totally compleated and I would send it you this post but Mr. Williams wants me to Sign the annexed receipt which I have refused doing 'till I know that you accept the Articles of “reparation which remain unfurnished which the said Williams stands engaged for giving him my draft on you for the same &ce.”
2
The Directeur des fermes, has sent several times to ask the Account of the Tobacco Per the Baltimore sold to them, I request that you would be kind enough to remember to send me the Condition of Sale that I may finish this Affair.
I am always most respectfully Your most devoted and most obedient Servant
Schweighauser is referring to his letter of 24 Sept. (above). In their reply of 27 Oct. (below) to this letter of the 26th, the Commissioners inadvertently referred to it as being of the 27th.
Jonathan Williams had written to the Commissioners on 24 Sept. (PPAmP: Franklin Papers) and requested that they direct Schweighauser to sign the receipt and accept the merchandise on hand, but on such letter from the Commissioners has been found. Also missing are the receipt, from which Schweighauser seems to be quoting, and the inventory.