Papers of John Adams, volume 17
After my Letter to you of the tenth, I thought it might be more respectfull to the Lords the States General, to write to them and accordingly I drew a Memorial to their High Mightinesses and inclosed it, in a Letter which I did myself the Honour of writing to you, on the thirteenth. On the Eighteenth I received the Letter which you did me the Honour to write me on the fourteenth which expresses in the most obliging manner, your Approbation and informs me of the Satisfaction of their High Mightinesses upon your Report of the Explication of my Conduct by Mr Dumas. I am much obliged to Mr Dumas, to the Baron de Lynden and especially to you, Sir for your friendly Representations, and am above all penetrated with a Sense of the Candour of the Lords the States General, which 196has probably rendered the Memorial which I transmitted to you, unnecessary. This however I Still Submit to your Judgment to do with it, what you Shall judge most respectfull to their High Mightinesses, & most for the Honour of the United States.
I Shall pursue your Advice, Sir upon the Arrival of the Revocation of my Credentials to their High Mightinesses, and Shall ever be disposed, upon all Occasions to render every Respect in my Power to their High Mightinesses, and every Demonstration of Attachment to the Honour and Interests of the Republick, especially by extending the Intercourse between their Country and mine, and by Strengthening every friendly Tye, of Pollicy and Commerce.
With great Respect I have the Honour to be, Sir, / your most obliged and obedient / humble Servant
P.S. I have this Moment recd your Favour of the 17th and have the time only to Say that I am perfectly of Opinion with you and the Grand Pensionary concerning the Memorial and to beg of you both to accept of my Thanks
RC (Nationaal Archief:ARA Arch. Nieuwenhuisen, inv. no. 24); internal address: “Mr Secretary Fagel.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 111.
L’Expéditeur à Rotterdam de nos Messrs. d’Amsterdam, m’apprend qu’il a reçu les Passeports de L. H. P. que je lui avois envoyés pour vos effets; que le vaisseau qui en est chargé est déjà descendu la Riviere; & qu’il a envoyé Aux dits Sieurs les connoissemens & le suivi de tout.
Je résume aujourd’hui les honorées vôtres du 3, 10 & 14 court.
1
J’ai vu avec Intérêt & plaisir la relation que V. E. a eu la bonté de me faire de votre audience & réception.
J’ai été ce matin chez Mr. le Greffier, com̃e il m’en avoit prié; mais des affaires inopinées l’ayant obligé de sortir, il m’a fait prier de revenir demain ou après-demain. Du reste vous pouvez, Monsieur, regarder l’affaire dont il s’est agi com̃e entierement finie à la satisfaction réciproque.2
Je trouve com̃e V. E. que votre apparition vous attirera bien des Observateurs, tant malévoles que bénévoles. Vous avez raison de 197mépriser les premiers: car il n’auront jamais de leur côté que le rire des sots; & vous savez les paroles de l’Evangile, “que bienheureux sont ceux dont on parle mal en mentant.”3
Je ne suis nullement surpris que vous goûtiez Mr. De L.: il ne le sera pas non plus, quand vous lui apprendrez, que Mr. son frere a eu sa bonne & docte part à la chicane Diplomatique qui vous a été suscitée. Je suis avec grand respect, De Votre Excellence le très-humble & très-obéissant serviteur
The shipper in Rotterdam of our gentlemen of Amsterdam informs me that he received the passports from Their High Mightinesses which I had sent him for your effects, that the ship charged with them has already descended the river, and that he has sent to said gentlemen the receipts and accounting of everything.
I return today to your honored letters of the 3d, 10th, and 14th of this month.1
I read with interest and pleasure the account of your audience and reception, which your excellency had the goodness to send me.
This morning I called on the secretary, as he had requested, but some unexpected affairs having obliged him to go out, he requested me to return tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. You may rest assured, sir, that the affair in question is altogether concluded to mutual satisfaction.2
I find, like your excellency, that your appearance will attract a good many observers, malevolent and benevolent alike. You are right to disdain the former, for they will never have anything but the laugh of fools on their side; and you are familiar with the words of the gospel, that “blessed are those against whom evil things are falsely said.”3
I am in no way surprised that you appreciate Mr. Lynden; nor will he be when you inform him that his brother had a good and wise part in the diplomatic chicanery generated for you. With great respect, I remain your excellency’s most humble and most obedient servant
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “A Son Excellence Mr. Adams.”
The first letter, which Dumas refers to in the following paragraph, was a copy of JA’s 3 June letter to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, above. The third letter, misdated here by Dumas, is that of 13 June, above.
Dumas wrote again to JA on 23 June (Adams Papers) regarding his meeting with Hendrik Fagel at which nothing occurred since the contretemps over protocol had been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.
Matthew, 5:11: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”