Papers of John Adams, volume 17
I took the Journey leisurely, and arrived here on Thursday and had the pleasure to learn that Colonel Smith had arrived the evening before, which relieved me from an anxiety, as I wished to have him with me at the Commencement of operations as well as to have all the Papers before me.
I have found this Gentleman possessed of all the good Qualities which you and Colo. Humphrys, who knew him best ascribed to him.1 He seems to be much respected here by the British officers, who knew him in America, and by all others. Congress have made in him if one may Judge from a short acquaintance a wise Choice, and I am very happy to have such a Co-adjutor. The Missin is more respectable, for having an official secretary, and it takes a great Burthen off, from me.
We shall not be ennuiees (I don’t know whether I spell the Word right. The English have not any to answer it) for want of Business. We shall have more than both of us can do, for there are continual applications for me to intermeddle with private affairs, and altho’ I must not compromise the public in such things, they must be all patiently attended to, and the people must be informed how far I can and how far I cannot consistantly assist them
On the first of June I was introduced to the King all the previous Ceremonies having been adjusted With the secretary of state. all has been precisely upon the same footing with other foreign Powers, as I have learned not only from the Minister and Master of Ceremonies, but from comparing notes with some of the foreign Ministers— I dread the Birth-Day, because as I shall be the focus of so many Eye-Balls I am afraid of being Scorched.
The infatuation of the Refugees is astonishing I have certain information, that they flattered themselves to the last moment, that I should not be received— they affirmed with the utmost Confidence, in private Conversation, and even at the Coffee Houses, that I should never be presented to the King, nor seen at Court, not even admitted to the Ministers of State.
Heaven has been pleased to send along with me other Blessings, which were as Much, at least wanted in this Kingdom. The Day after my arrival the Rains began, which have continued every day 150since. I hope they have been equally abundant in France where the terrible Effects which I saw on my Journey of the Drouth affected me very much.
Mrs: & Miss A. join with me in most respectfull and affectionate Compliments to Madame la Marquise and to our very good friends George and Anastasie—2 With great regard I have the / honour to be, Sir, / Your most Obedient and / most humble servant
LbC in WSS’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Marquis / De La fayette—”; APM Reel 111.
WSS had served on Lafayette’s staff, and both he and David Humphreys had been aides-de-camp to George Washington (Heitman, Register Continental Army
).
These are Lafayette’s six-year-old son, Georges Washington Louis Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, and eight-year-old daughter, Anastasie Louise Pauline du Motier de Lafayette. For a miniature of Georges, Anastasie, and their three-year-old sister Marie Antoinette Virginie du Motier de Lafayette, see
AFC
, 6:viii–ix, 68.
d1785
I have bought a Bill Drawn by the Honble Mr Dana, on your Excellency for Three Hundred fifty seven pounds sixteen shillings & Nine pence Sterg which no doubt will be duly Honord,1 I have endorsed & enclosed it, to my friends Messrs Cazalet & sons of London, presuming from information you must be in London, to which Court, I understand you are appointed, also that you and His Excellency Mr Jefferson are appointed joint Commissioners for Negociating a Commercial Treaty with Her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias—2 when last I had the Honor of paying my Respects to you, I was on my way to that Country3 and at that time formed a small Commercial connection with my friends Messrs Cramp & Cazalet of St Petersburg and have Obtain’d considerable Bussiness from hence to that Capital Viz seven Ships last year and as many this, many more would have engaged, if a Treaty had been made, or that if remittances could be devised, to go direct to that Country, as it is apparent all the Europeans Wish to put a Stop to the Trade therefore I am as an individual shall Embark for Russia in three Days, to endeavour to find remittances that will Answer both Countrys, and if your Excellency will condecend to Write me, if a Treaty is made, or likely to be made, and can aid me in any way I shall Esteem it a very particular favor, please to direct for me at Cramp & Cazalet St
151Petersburg I flatter myself, I shall be there by the time any letters may arrive for me— The Honble Mr Dana shew me, a part of your letter of the 8th of March requestg some account of the fishery & foreign Trade—4 I do myself the Honor to Enclose some account, relative to that matter, I rely upon your former friendship to Excuse the before mentioned requests—5
I am with great / Esteem & Respect your / Excellency Humble servant
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency J. Adams”; endorsed: “Jere Allen June 3 / 1785.” Dupl (Adams Papers). The duplicate formed the first portion of Allen’s letter of 10 July, below.
For Francis Dana’s explanation of this bill, see his letter of 4 June, below. In an account entered in his Letterbook (LbC, APM Reel 107) JA wrote, “July 21 accepted Mr Danas Bill for £357:16:9 dated Cambridge June 4. 1785, 30 days Sight. 1st. of the sett. to be paid at the House of Charles & Richard Puller in Broadstreet Buildings. This was for my Sons Expences in his Journey with Mr Dana to Petersbourg and ought to be allowed by the United States, as to Mr Danas private Secretary.” For Congress’ decision to reimburse Dana for JQA’s expenses, see Dana’s letter of 10 April, and note 2, above; and vol. 16:505.
For Congress’ 1784 commission to JA, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to negotiate a treaty with Russia and their efforts to do so, see vol. 16:193, 208, 320, 420, 551, 591.
Allen, a Boston merchant and friend of JA’s, went to Russia in early 1783 and, with Dana, sailed from Kronstadt for Boston on 8 Sept. 1783. Allen was at Paris during the 1782 negotiation of the Anglo-American preliminary peace treaty and may have informed JA then of his intention to go to Russia, but there are no extant letters from Allen to JA on the subject (vols. 14:149, 188, 225; 15:307).
Vol. 16:549–551.
The enclosure has not been found.