Papers of John Adams, volume 19

From John Adams to John Jay, 25 October 1787 Adams, John Jay, John

To John Jay

Dear Sir London Octr. 25. 1787

I do myself the Honour to inclose Copy of Mr Fagels Letter to me of the 18th. and of my Answer of this day. and of my Letter to Mr. Dumas of this day. 1

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I am very Sorry for his embarrassed situation. But know not the Cause of it, but by Conjecture. one Thing I know that the United States may very easily be involved in a War by indiscreet Intimacies, between their servants and foreign Powers and national Parties.— Congress have but two Ways to take upon this Occasion. either to dismiss Mr Dumas at the Requisition of the states General, or to write a Letter or order one to be wrote desiring their High Mightinesses to articulate the Particulars of their Exceptions and Displeasure against Dumas. This may gain time and Save Mr Dumas for so much time as will arrange all Things decidedly in Holland. With great Regard your / most obedient servant

John Adams

RC (PCC, No. 84, VI, f. 539); internal address: “Mr Secretary Jay.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 112.

JA wrote to C. W. F. Dumas on 25 Oct., advising him that “the times are extremely critical, and American Ministers ought to be extremely cautious, (as you know ever was my Maxim and Principle, and ought now to be more so than ever), to keep American affairs perfectly distinct and independent of those of all other nations, lest our country should be involved in calamities, for causes that are not her own” ( Dipl. Corr., 1783–1789 , 2:814).

From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 27 October 1787 Adams, John Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

To the Marquis de Lafayette

Dr. Sir— London october 27. 1787.

I thank you for your Letter & the Proceedings of Auvergne—1 The Provincial assemblies, if they act only as Councillors of the King must operate for the benefit of the Nation— Le nombre des personnes choises dans les deux premiers Orders ne puisse surposer le nombre des Personnes choiseis pour le trois etats et les voix seront recueillies par tête, alternativement entre les Membres des differents ordres. Edit Du Roi. Juin 1787. Art. 1.2

Pray do the 3 estates sett all together, in the same room & debate together? & is the vote determined by the Majority of Members, or by the Majority of Estates?

The Constitution of the Parochial assemblies, appears to be upon a very large and liberal scale—Ten Livres—& imposition fonciere ou personelle,3 appears to comprehend a good number— It seems a smaller qualification than our 40 shilling freehold or 40 pounds fortune—but perhaps I may not perfectly understand it— Let me congratulate you on the progress you make towards a good representation—

Mr. Appleton4 when he was here, & after him Mr. Paine informed me that you desired to have a dozen Copies of my Bouidoir, accordingly when I saw my Bookseller I ordered him to send them to the 201 address of Mr. Jefferson— This will be delivered you by Mr. Parker, a Bostonian who I beg leave to introduce to you, He Will tell you all the News. He is very intelligent & has much information—

Yours &.

JA.

LbC in WSS’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “M. G. Marquis De Lafayette”; APM Reel 113.

Lafayette’s letter was of 12 Oct., above, but the enclosure has not been found.

The first article of Louis XVI’s June 1787 edict stated that the number of persons chosen for the first two orders might not surpass the number of persons chosen for the three estates and the votes would be collected per head, alternately between the members of the different orders.

In terms of property and taxpayers.

Probably Boston merchant John Appleton, who often carried letters and goods between London and Paris for the Adamses, as did Thomas Paine ( AFC , 8:85, 124, 150, 236).