Papers of John Adams, volume 15

386 To C. W. F. Dumas, 4 December 1783 Adams, John Dumas, C. W. F.

To C. W. F. Dumas

Dear Sir. London Decr: 4. 1783.

Last Night I received your favour of the 28th Novr: and hope in future to hear often from you, although I dont expect to be informed of the Politicks of the Country, so particularly as heretofore, yet you may write freely under the Same Cover.

I should be glad, however to know, truly what has happened upon the Frontiers; I hope the Comte de Linden will be appointed notwithstanding the Paragraphs as Silly as they are impudent, which represent St: James’s as against it.1

Mr: Fox will rule the Roost here for some time. The present Ministry is very Strong in Parliament, but not so well principled nor so well disposed, towards America as they ought to be.

We are in daily Expectation of the Arrival of our Courier Barney, at Havre de Grâce—2 if he should not bring me orders of another Sort I shall come to the Hague, and wait the Arrival of my Family— My Boy desires his respects.

Your’s most respectfully.

LbC in JQA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr: Dumas.”; APM Reel 107.

See Dumas’ reply of 12 Dec., below.

See JA’s 5 Dec. letter to Benjamin Franklin, below.

To Isaac Smith Jr., 4 December 1783 Adams, John Smith, Isaac Jr.

To Isaac Smith Jr.

Dear Sir. London December 4. 1783.

Your Favour of Novr: 19th did not find me, till yesterday, which I regret, because I should have had an earlier opportunity to thank you for your kind Congratulations.

It is indeed to me the highest Satisfaction to see my Country at Peace after so Long and so distressing a War, and much more to see her in a Situation which places her Liberties and Prosperity out of Danger— nothing which can happen will ever make me regret the Part I have taken, because it was taken upon full Deliberation, and upon the Principle of Duty as a Man and a Citizen, not only without any Prospect of bettering my private Interest but with the Sure and certain Expectation of injuring it very considerably.

I hope Sir and believe that after some Time there will be no Objection to your returning to America, if you chuse it.

387

The News of the Death of my Father Smith notwithstanding his Advanced Age, affected me much and makes me anxious to hear from my Mrs: Adams who must be affected more tenderly.

I hope Soon to hear of the Arrival of this Lady and her Daughter in Europe, either in France England or Holland, most probably the last as that is my Home, where I should be glad to see you if I should not be so lucky as to meet you in England before I leave it.— Your Brother I hope soon to see here on his Return from Paris.

with much Esteem and Affection I am your / Fd: and Sert:

LbC in JQA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Reverend Isaac Smith.”; APM Reel 107.