Papers of John Adams, volume 9

To Gabriel de Sartine, 16 April 1780 JA Sartine, Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert Gabriel de

1780-04-16

To Gabriel de Sartine, 16 April 1780 Adams, John Sartine, Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert Gabriel de

To Gabriel de Sartine

Sir Paris Hotel de Valois Ruë de Richelieu, Ap. 16. 1780

I have received the two Letters which your Excellency did me the Honour to write me, on the fifth and on the twelfth of this Month.1

I do not mean to give your Excellency the Trouble of answering, these Letters of mine, which contain Extracts of Letters from abroad, or simple News. This would be giving your Excellency too much trouble and taking up too much Time. Indeed, I think it will very probably be often if not always, unnecessary, because, your Excellencies Information must be, beyond all Comparison earlier more exact and more particular than mine. Yet as it is, possible that sometimes a Circumstance, of importance may escape, one Channel of Intelligence and yet pass in another, I thought it my duty sometimes to send your Excellency an Extract. In this View I have the Honour to send your Excellency, another Extract from a Letter of the 6th. of 144this Month.2 I pray your Excellency not to take the trouble to answer it. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Respect and Consideration, your Excellencys most obedient and most humble servant

John Adams

LbC (Adams Papers.)

JA probably means Sartine's letter of 15 April (Adams Papers), since no letter of the 12th has been found. For the letter of 15 April as well as that of the 5th (Adams Papers), both of which were replies to JA's letter of 4 April (LbC, Adams Papers), see Thomas Digges to JA, 28 March, note 3; and William Lee to JA, 30 March, note 9 (both above).

The extract has not been found, but the content of Thomas Digges' letter of 6 April (above), makes it likely that it was taken from that letter.

From George Logan, 16 April 1780 Logan, George JA

1780-04-16

From George Logan, 16 April 1780 Logan, George Adams, John

From George Logan

Dear Sir London April 16: 1780

I arrived safe in London after an agreeable journey of 7 Days. I delivered the paper you entrusted with me to Mr. Diggs, but am sorry to inform you that it was found imperfect, that part respecting the upper House being lost.1 This was certainly an original defect, as I was careful to deliver it in the manner received from you. Several Gentlemen of both Houses have been favored with a sight of it, and are much pleased with the liberal, and just principles on which it is founded.

I should send you the Papers and some political pamphlets by this opportunity but Mr. Diggs informs me, he has sent you those meriting your attention. With respect to Public affairs I may inform you, that they have a prosperous aspect for America. It is most probable the troops will be withdrawn from that Country. This however is not certain, as a continuance of the war is still a favourite object with the Ministry. The people daily become more resolute in their demands that if America should rest tranquil and carry on a defensive war in America as last year, it is probable the good people of this Country will finish the business for them here.

I spoke to Mr. Alman to send you the political publications that appear in this Country, regularly. I expect he will write you on this subject. I have sent you his paper of yesterday. You will there observe the very impolitical conduct of the Lords. This paper may answer your expectation better than any other should you wish to receive them regularly.

As I wish to be in America as soon as possible, I am not determined, whether I shall again return to Paris, or go by the St. Eustatia.

145

Pray remember my best Comps. to Mr. Dana and believe me Your Freind & Hble. Servt:

Geoe Logan2

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “John Adams Esqr: Rue Richleu Hotel Valois Paris pr favor of Dr. Plunket”; endorsed: “Dr. Logan”; docketed by CFA: “April 16. 1780.”

For the copy of The Report of a Constitution or Form of Government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts sent to Digges by JA, see Digges' letter of 14 April, and note 2 (above).

Dr. George Logan, a Pennsylvania Quaker, received his medical degree at Edinburgh in June 1779 and reached Paris in the winter of 1779–1780, during a European tour. There he soon became a friend of Benjamin Franklin and a strong supporter of the American cause. When he departed for London to obtain passage to America he carried letters for Franklin as well as JA. Soon after writing this letter and one of the 15th to Franklin, Logan sailed for home. George Logan is known best for his unauthorized diplomatic activities in 1798 that resulted in passage of the Logan Act prohibiting private American citizens from engaging in diplomacy ( DAB ; Frederick B. Tolles, George Logan of Philadelphia, N.Y., 1953, p. 39–42; Cal. Franklin Papers, A.P.S. , 2:238).