Papers of John Adams, volume 16
As I had the Honour to observe in a former Letter there is a Fermentation in the Courts of the two Empires and those of Bourbon, which appears in Several Particulars which may be explained hereafter.1
A Question of Etiquette, which amounts to no more, than which of two Persons Shall enter or leave a Room the first may Set all Europe in a Flame. The Prince de Gallitzin, the Russian Ambassador, at Vienna, has informed the Court that he could not, any longer, give Place to the Ambassadors of the Courts of Bourbon. The Chancellor De Kaunitz communicated this Information to the Ambassadors of France and Spain, who answered that they would not appear at Court untill they should receive the Instructions of their Masters.— So necessary it is for Governments to fix the Eyes of their Own Subjects upon Some Objects which will keep up in their own Minds a sense of their Importance. The Step of an Ambassador or the hoisting of a Flagg is enough to raise or Sink the Pride & Spirit of a mighty Nation. This affair however may be accommodated.2
The Death of the Bishop of Liege, will occasion another Contest. The Emperor will endeavour that his Brother Maximilian, Should be chosen. France will oppose this, and will set up others. This will try their Talents at Electioneering, and occasion a Heat, but not probably a War.3
With great Respect I have the Honour to be / Sir, your most obedient & humble Sert
RC (PCC, No. 84, V, f. 324); internal address: “His Excellency Thomas Mifflin Esq / President of Congress.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 107.
Of 13 May, above.
Dmitri Mikhailovich Gallitzin had been the Russian minister plenipotentiary to Austria since 1762, but on 5 April 1784 he was raised to the rank of ambassador extraordinary (
Repertorium
, 3:351). As a minister he had been outranked by the ambassadors of France and Spain. However, as an ambassador from an empire—Russia—he claimed precedence over the ambassadors of kingdoms—France and Spain. For the progress of the controversy, see the reports in the Gazette d’Amsterdam of 30 April, 14, 21, 25 May.
The Gazette d’Amsterdam of 7 May announced the death of François Charles de Velbrück, the prince-bishop of Liège, from apoplexy and noted that his passing gave rise to many conjectures and probably would be
215
the cause of much secret maneuvering. But within the month, on 28 May, the Gazette reported that a new prince-bishop, César Constantin François de Hoensbroeck, had been elected.
I am here in anxious Expectation of the Arrival of my Family, which I hope are coming in Calahan. When I Shall have the Happiness to see you I know not, but I think it probable I Shall remain here untill I return to America, as We learn nothing of any determinations of Congress. Mrs & Miss Adams will not be Sorry to have made a Trip to the Hague provided they are not obliged to Stay long, and one Year I fancy will suffice them. But it is not for Mortals to foresee, future Events, or to lay plans with any Certainty. By an obstinate Perseverance in Exercise, walking, at least Six or Seven miles a day, I have got the better of the Disorders into which Voyages Journeys and too much Application had thrown me. But I dare not depend on the Continuance of Health.
I wrote you sometime ago, an Answer to Mr Tyler, to whom present my Regards.1 I must Submit to Providence, the Protections of this Gentleman and the Lady he Solicits, and doubt not they will succeed very well in Life: But I dont know when nor where, they will meet again. They must concert their own Plan, with the Advice of their Friends
Your affectionate Brother
My Duty to my Mother, and Affections to all
RC (NHi:Gilder Lehrman Coll., on deposit); internal address: “Mr Cranch.”
JA’s letters to Cranch and Royall Tyler were dated 3 April (
AFC
, 5:315–317). The letter to Tyler concerned his courtship of AA2, and JA ended it by declaring, “you and the young Lady have my Consent to arrange your Plans according to your own Judgments, and I pray God to bless and prosper you both whether together or asunder.”
Your Excellency’s very Friendly Letter of the 22 April is safely come to hand, for which be pleased to accept my warmest thanks. a poor Acknowledgement truly for so Signal a favour.1 The Honourble Mr
Laurens advises me to proceed immediately to Copenhagen But his Lordship the Bishop of St Asaph, thinks I might as well Stay a
216
few Weeks longer, and see whether or no Parliament will pass an Act for ordaining American Candidates without exacting the Oath. My very Generous Friend Mr Johnson thinks a Letter from your Excellency or some Illustrious Personage of your Acquaintance, to a Danish Bishop would do me much Service.2 this would be a favour of such Magnitude, as to surpass my Gratitude to Say how much it would Oblige
Your Excellency’s very Sincer / Friend & Servt.
Be pleased to direct your Letter to me at No 8 Quality Court Chancery Lane
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency Mr Adams.—”
For JA’s 22 April letter to Weems, see his letter to the president of Congress of that date, and note 2, above.
JA enclosed a passport rather than a letter of introduction when he responded to Weems on 19 May (LbC, APM Reel 107).