Papers of John Adams, volume 16
I have received your Letters by Mr Jackson and Mr Appleton. The former I answered Some days ago.—1 My Son who is going to London in hopes of meeting his Mother and Sister will convey this from thence.—2 I shall probably be fixed here, out of the reach of that Envy, which you prophecy whose Power I never felt or dreaded untill I Saw Europe.—
There are little Fermentations in the Courts of Europe, and Some Appearances of Jealousies between the two Imperial Courts and the House of Bourbon which Some People apprehend will disturb the publick Tranquility but I hope otherwise.
I was received in London very politely by Governor Pownal, who talked much of visiting America. If he comes I hope he will be received with Respect. He has done good service to our Cause, by Some of his Writings.
Let me hear from you as often as you can.
Yours Affectionately
RC (NN:George Bancroft Coll.); internal address: “Hon. Samuel Adams”; endorsed: “John Adams— / At the Hague May 13. 1784.”
The letter carried by Jonathan Jackson was of 4 Nov. 1783 (vol. 15:341–344), which JA had answered with two letters dated 1 and 4 May 1784, both above. The letter carried by “Mr Appleton” was probably that of 4 Feb. (Adams Papers), wherein Samuel Adams introduced “the Son of Mr Nathl Appleton,” probably John Appleton whom AA saw in London in July (
AFC
, 5:372, 384).
JQA wrote to his friend Peter Jay Munro at Paris on “Friday May: 14th 1784. Noon” that “I am going in about two hour’s to set out for London … to wait the arrival of my Mother and Sister who I Expect will arrive there soon” (NNMus). JQA went first to Hellevoetsluis, from which he sailed on 15 May, reaching London on the 17th (
AFC
, 5:327). The journey to London led JA to write to Richard & Charles Puller on 14 May, requesting them to furnish funds to “the Bearer of this Letter, Mr. John Quincy Adams …, who will be in London about a
210
month or Six Weeks” (LbC, APM Reel 107). JQA reported his arrival in his 18 May letter to JA, but, as the editors indicate there, it is unclear why JA expected the imminent arrival in England of AA and AA2 on the Gloucester Packet, Capt. John Callahan (
AFC
, 5:327–328). In any case, JQA wrote to JA on 1 June that “Callahan has arrived; has had a delightful passage, but in lieu of our ladies, has only brought some letters” (
AFC
, 5:335–337). JQA returned to The Hague on 28 or 29 June in company with Winslow Warren, who had arrived on Callahan’s vessel with letters from Tristram Dalton of 6 April, above, and AA of 12 April (
AFC
, 5:317–320), which JQA had forwarded with his 1 June letter (to James Warren, 30 June, below).
Since my last Arrival in Holland, I have not transmitted to Congress, the Details of the Politicks of this Court and Nation, nor of those neighbouring Courts which are exciting disputes with it. Mr Dumas has been in the Habit and Train of that History and I have not thought fit to interrupt him: But if I Should reside here regularly, the whole Business of the Mission will of Course go through my Hands. I therefore wish to know in what Light I am to consider this Gentleman, and what Relation he is to Stand in to me. I wish it for the Government of my own Conduct, and still more from Regard to him, whom I esteem as a very worthy Man, and one who has for a Course of Years, been indefatigable in the service of the United States, and who is not adequately rewarded or Supported by the Pittance which is allowed him. But what is more disagreable, he has never had any Character or Commission from Congress, and one knows not what to call him whether Secretary or Agent,— I cannot ask him to act as my private secretary which is really much beneath him, although he is ever ready to assist me, in all Things1
I Should be happy to know the Pleasure of Congress in this respect, and to receive their Instructions from time to Time, in all things which relate to the United Netherlands, which I shall endeavour to execute to the best of my Power.
Inclosed is another Copy of the Project of a Treaty with Prussia, which I transmitted to Paris to Mr Franklin and Jay and have received back again from them with their Approbation, excepting the few Corrections and Inquiries, marked upon it, by those Ministers. The King will Send a Full Power probably to Mr De Thulemeier. and I should be happy to know the Pleasure of Congress
With great Respect I have the Honour / to be, Sir, your most obedient / and most humble servant
RC and enclosure (PCC, No. 84, V, f. 303–320); internal address: “His Excellency Thomas Mifflin Esqr / President of Congress.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 107.
For previous appeals by JA on behalf of C. W. F. Dumas, see vol. 13:49–50; 15:265.