Papers of John Adams, volume 14
The Morceau inclosed, is translated from a Pamphlet lately published in London, in which this Piece is inserted.
It is curious in itself, but considering the time and Place when and where it was first published, it is a document of History, for it was a political Machine, which had great Effects.
As Such I should be obliged to you, if you would insert it at length in the Politique Hollandais, but if you cannot, or do not choose to do that, you may print it in a Pamphlet by itself, or give it to Mr Holtrop, who will be glad to print it, with a french Translation of the History of the Rise, and Progres of the Disputes with America.1
I sent you, Some days ago, a few Lines with seven Papers inclosed.2 I should be glad to know if you have recd them as well as this. You see I confide much in your Discretion.
What do you think of our Peace? Is it well made? Will it last?
your most obedient
LbC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr A. M. Cerisier.”; APM Reel 110.
The enclosed “Morceau” is
JA's “A Dissertation on the Canon and the Feudal Law,” which was included in the London edition of A Collection of State-Papers in late November 1782 (vol. 13:258, note 3). JA had apparently had the “Dissertation” translated into French and is here indicating that if Cerisier did not publish it in Le politique hollandais, Willem Holtrop, an Amsterdam bookseller and publisher, could publish it as part of a French edition of his Geschiedenis van het geschil tusschen Groot-Britannie en Amerika, zedert deszelfs oorsprong, in den jaare 1754, tot op den tegenwoordigen tijd. Door . . . John Adams, Amsterdam, 1782. That volume was an abridged edition of JA's 1775 Novanglus letters, which had originally appeared in John Almon's Remembrancer for 1775 (p. 24–32, 45–54). JA's History of the Dispute with America; From Its Origin in 1754. Written in the Year 1774 was published in London in 1784. The only significant difference between 267the Dutch and English versions was the inclusion in the former of two letters dated 21 Jan. and 10 Feb. 1775 to a “Friend in London,” which Almon had printed separately (p. 10–12). For Cerisier's proposal to publish the “Dissertation,” see his reply of 26 Feb., below; and for the “Dissertation,” the unabridged Novanglus letters, and those to a “Friend in London,” see vol. 1:103–128; 2:214–215, 216–387, 391–393.
These “seven Papers” comprised the “Parcell” that JA sent to Cerisier under a brief covering letter of 24 Jan. (LbC, APM Reel 110). JA wanted them published in Le politique hollandais, but without revealing his identity and “without any Preamble or Remarks.” The documents cannot be identified with certainty because JA never indicated what he sent nor Cerisier what he received. However, prefaced by Cerisier's note that he had received several documents relating to the Anglo-American peace negotiations that had not appeared in any public paper, Le politique hollandais for 17 (p. 11–16) and 24 Feb. (p. 17–29) contained the following seven items: JA's 29 Sept. 1779 commission to negotiate an Anglo-American peace treaty;
JA's 29 Sept. 1779 commission to negotiate an Anglo-American commercial treaty; the 15 June 1781 joint commission to negotiate an Anglo-American peace treaty; Congress’ resolution of 12 July revoking JA's commission to negotiate an Anglo-American commercial treaty; Richard Oswald's 21 Sept. 1782 commision to treat with the United States; the 30 Nov. 1782 preliminary Anglo-American peace treaty; and the 20 Jan. 1783 declarations of the Anglo-American suspension of arms and the cessation of hostilities.
e.fevr. 1783
Je saisis l’occasion d’un Courier de la Rep., pour vous confirmer ma Lettre d’hier par la poste,1 où je vous rends compte des précautions prises pour avoir au plutôt des nouvelles de Mr. votre fils, & pour le faire arriver au plutôt ici. Je m’attends à apprendre que ce n’est que la saison, dans un pays septentrional comm̃e la Suede, qui l’aura empêché de se remettre en route aussi vite que vous le desiriez.
Celleci vous parviendra dans une autre que Mr. Visscher écrit à Mr. Brantsen.
Ce que vous me dites, Monsieur, dans la vôtre du 5, ou plutôt ce que vous ne m’y dites pas, me fait desirer avec impatience votre retour ici, c’est-à-dire, la conclusion finale du Traité Définitif de Paix générale: car je ne vois pas d’apparence à avoir cette satisfaction plutôt.
Il me tarde extrêmement d’apprendre ce qu’il peut y avoir de pire que le tour joué à nos amis.— Il regne un froid à glacer, pas entre eux & moi (au contraire), mais entre eux & certain caractere dont ils plaignent pourtant la personne; & s’il en faut croire ce qu’on se dit ici à l’oreille, il est à plaindre, après toutes les peines qu’il s’est données pour bien servir, & tout le succès qu’ont eu ses peines.2
Nous som̃es fort curieux ici de savoir le rôle & les allures à Paris & à Versailles de Mr. De H. le Chambn. du Pce.3
Mr. de Dedem est en Overyssel. Notre ami m’a montré une Lettre qu’il lui écrit aujourd’hui, sur laquelle il doit se rendre incessamment ici, pour s’y trouver la semaine prochaine quand il sera proposé. Nos amis en ont déjà parlé au Gd. Pre., qui l’approuve, & au Pce., qui leur a répondu froidement qu’il étoit carte blanche
4 c’est à dire qu’on pouvoit faire com̃e on vouloit.— Je serai certainement des premiers à l’aller complimenter, dès qu’il sera arrivé.
Je suis, Monsieur, avec grand respect / De Votre Excellence / le très-humble & très / obéissant serviteur,
Translation
I am taking advantage of a courier of the republic to confirm the letter I sent yesterday by post,1 wherein I inform you of steps taken to get the fastest possible news of your son and to summon him here as soon as possible. I expect to learn that it is only the winter weather, in a northern country like Sweden, that has prevented him from setting forth as promptly as you wish.
This letter will come to you enclosed in another, which Mr. Visscher is writing to Mr. Brantsen.
What you mention, sir, in your letter of 5 February—or rather, what you omit—makes me impatient for your return. I refer to the conclusion of the general peace treaty, for I see no likelihood of having this satisfaction any sooner.
I am also impatient to learn what could be worse than the trick played on our friends. A glacial coldness reigns—not between them and me (quite the contrary), but between them and a certain character whom they nonetheless pity as a man; and if rumors here are to be believed, he is indeed to be pitied, given the efforts he has made to be of service and the success these efforts have had.2
We are very curious to hear how Mr. Heyden de Reynestein, the prince's chamberlain, is conducting himself at Paris and Versailles and what role he has played.3
Mr. Dedem is in Overijssel. Our friend showed me a letter he wrote today, stating Mr. Dedem must come back here immediately to be present when his name is put forward next week. Our friends have already spoken of this to the grand pensionary, who approves, and to the prince, who answered rather coldly that they had carte blanche,4 meaning they could do as they wished. I shall certainly be among the first to congratulate him when he arrives.
I am, sir, with great respect, your excellency's very humble and very obedient servant
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Paris à Son Exce. Mr. Adams.”
Dumas to JA, 13 Feb., above.
That is, the French ambassador, the Duc de La Vauguyon.
On 7 March the Gazette d’Amsterdam reported that William V's chamberlain, Count Sigismund Pieter Alexander van Heyden de Reynestein, who had been charged with a particular mission to the court of France, had been treated with distinction and met several times with the Comte de Vergennes. No reference by JA to the chamberlain or his activities at Paris has been found.
The remainder of this sentence was written in the left margin and marked for insertion at this point. William V was referring to the province of Holland's reserving to itself the power to nominate and confirm its candidate for the post of minister to the United States, for which see Dumas’ letter of 13 Feb., above. Its ostensible candidate, Baron Frederick Gysbert van Dedem tot den Gelder, arrived at The Hague on the morning of 20 Feb. (from Dumas, 20 Feb., Adams Papers).