Papers of John Adams, volume 16
I am extreamly Sorry, to read in your Letter of the 8th. that you think of embarking for America. Let me beg of you to reconsider that Project. if you persist in it, I shall repent of having written for my Family and wish I had it in my Power to go there too.
The Committee to whom, the Dispatches by Thaxter were referred have reported that a Commission be sent to the 3 named in the Resolution of the 1. of May last, to treat with all the maritime Powers, who may wish to treat, and I Suppose Such a Commission will Soon arrive. As soon as I know of its Arrival, I will Sett off, for Paris.
I have recd a Letter, under a Cover, which you knew of, the Writer desires to be remembered to you, your Lady, & to Mr Charmichael.1
Dana is, as I Suppose a Member of Congress, and now at Anapolis.
If you Should be decided to return home, which I hope you are not, I beg to know about what Time you expect to leave Paris, for I should regret as much as you, the Loss of an Opportunity to converse with you before you go.
With great and Sincere Esteem / yours
RC (NNC:John Jay Papers); addressed by JQA: “France / À Son Excellence / Monsieur John Jay. / Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats / Unis de l Amerique / à Chaillot / près Paris.”; internal address: “His Exy John Jay Esq”; endorsed: “Mr. Adams / 20 Ap. 1784 / Recd. 26 / And— 27 Ap. 1784.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 107.
This was Elbridge Gerry’s letter of 14 Jan. (vol. 15:447, 449–450). It is from that letter that JA’s comments on Congress’ action regarding the dispatches carried by John Thaxter and on Francis Dana were derived.
I am very much obliged by your Favour of the 21. of December.2 it is a great Pleasure to learn that the Treaty of Peace gives Satisfaction. The Preservation of the Fishery, is the more prescious, as it appeared for Several Years together to be in great danger. In danger I mean of being given up, by the United States themselves, for the 172 Sake of Peace.— it is not in our Power to do any Thing towards Securing a Market for the Fish, unless We have Authority, and Congress have not yet thought proper to Send any Commission to any Body for that Purpose. I confess myself, totally astonished at the Delay. But I ought to Suppose that Congress have Reasons which I am not aware of.—
If the 36 millions you mention, have not been accounted for why is not an Account insisted on.— You know who borrowed the Money, and who Spent it, and it is for him to shew that he Spent it for the Publick.3
Every Suggestion or Suspicion, of Bribery, from French or English or Dutch or any foreign nation excites Horror.— There must not be a Suspicion of this. But there may be an Interest and an Influence, which may mix itself with local Prejudices and Party Disputes which may be as dangerous, and which ought to teach Us to make all foreign Powers and Ministers keep their Distances and know their Places.— This is so well known in Europe, that it is the Maxim of every Court, never to have Confidence in a foreign Minister. The whole Corps diplomatique is ever viewed with a Jealous Eye, and nothing in general would destroy the Confidence of an Ambassadors own Court, So soon as a Parade of Confidence in him made by the Court to which he is Sent.4
Dft (Adams Papers).
The presence of this letter in the Adams Papers as an incomplete draft makes it unlikely that it was sent.
Vol. 15:428–432.
Sullivan referred to 36 million livres borrowed from France that were unaccounted for. JA is presumably referring to Benjamin Franklin.
For JA’s earlier use of this “Maxim,” which he attributed to Sweden’s envoy to Britain, Gustaf Adam, Baron von Nolcken, see his 10 Feb. letter to the president of Congress, and note 2, above.