Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 9

Barriers, between Great Britain and the United States of America to Reconcilliation, Alliance, or even Peace, 1 June 1780 JA

1780-06-01

 Barriers, between Great Britain and the United States of America to Reconcilliation, Alliance, or even Peace, 1 June 1780 Adams, John
Barriers, between Great Britain and the United States of America to Reconcilliation, Alliance, or even Peace
ca. 1 June 1780 1

1. The Obstinacy , Malice, Revenge, Pride Obstinacy, and Absurdity of the King, and Royal Family.

2. The Guilt, and Danger of the Ministry. Danger to their Lives 365and personal safety, as well as of Ruin to their Fortunes, Characters and Reputations.

3. The Ambition and Avarice of the Minority, whose Chiefs have the same hunger for the Loaves and Fishes2 as the Ministers, as little Attention to and affection for the public as they, and therefore dare not displease the King, and so give up their hopes of his favour by, adopting any Principles or espousing any system, that could lead to Reconciliation or to Peace.

4. The general Prevalence of Profligacy,

LbC (Adams Papers).

1.

The date is derived from the document's position in the Letterbook following JA's letter of 1 June to Genet and preceding that of 6 June to Dumas. It is clearly unfinished, occupying only a quarter of a page that is otherwise blank. Certainly it reflects, although in a more direct fashion, JA's views regarding a peace settlement expressed in various letters and articles, most notably those commenting on Gen. Henry Seymour Conway's speech supporting his bill of 5 May and Lord George Germain's speech attacking it (to Genet, 17 and 28 May, both above). But neither its purpose, whether as a draft of a newspaper article or simply a memorandum for JA's own use, nor the reason for its being left incomplete has been determined.

 2.

JA referred to “the Loaves and Fishes” in connection with the parliamentary opposition in his first letter of 20 May to the president of Congress (No. 69, calendared, above).

 To Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 June 1780 JA Genet, Edmé Jacques

1780-06-01

 To Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 June 1780 Adams, John Genet, Edmé Jacques
To Edmé Jacques Genet
June 1st. 1780

Rodney himself, it seems did all. He fought and beat six Ships. Pray, why did not the Rest of his Fleet beat the rest of the French Fleet over whom they had the Superiority.1

This Way of giving Extracts of Letters only, leaves room to suspect.

But I think, by his own Account, he has nothing to brag of. Three drawn Battles wont maintain the Lordship of the Water.

Drawn Battles wont do.

I hope, however, France and Spain will follow up their Plan—they are in the right way—for God sake let the second Division at Brest be expedited, and from Rochfort too.

Pray can You give me Notice of a safe Conveyance to America? I want to send duplicates of all my dispatches.

LbC in John Thaxter's hand (Adams Papers).

1.

In his first letter of 1 June to the president of Congress (No. 75, calendared, below), JA wrote that “this Morning, a Friend at Versailles sent me the English Papers of 26 and 27 May” that included Adm. Rodney's letter of 26 April describing the Battle of Martinique of 17 April. The “Friend” was probably Genet, and this letter serves as an acknowledgment of Genet's kindness, although Genet's covering letter has not been found. JA's commentary on Rodney's “victory” was repeated in his letter to the president, and 366parallels critical accounts that appeared in London newspapers such as the London Courant of 27 May. See also, Thomas Digges' letter of 26 May, and note 2 (above).