Papers of John Adams, volume 19
20 February 1788
As the Period of my Mission to your Majesty is on the Point of expiring I have Solicited the Honour of this Audience, that I might have an opportunity of repeating in behalf of the United States of America, their Assurances of their friendly Dispositions and of their continued desire of a liberal Intercourse of Commerce and good offices, with your Majestys Subjects and States.
In taking leave of your Majesty I beg leave to present my most humble Thanks to your Majesty for the Protection and Civilities I have received at your Majestys Court, and my best Wishes for every Blessing to your Majesty, your Majestys Royal Family, Subjects and Dominions.1
Dft (Adams Papers); notation by TBA: “Address on taking leave / of the King of / G.B.”
JA’s final audience with George III held none of the ceremonial fanfare that had attended their first meeting nearly three years earlier, for which see vol. 17:134–135, 138–139, 142–145. After the weekly diplomatic levee ended at three o’clock in the afternoon on 20 Feb., JA met briefly with the king at St. James’ Palace, and he reported to John Jay the following day, below. The Marquís of Carmarthen introduced JA, who made this short address, and he was ushered out by Sir Clement Cottrell Dormer. Contrary to the more extensive coverage of JA’s arrival at the Court of St. James, the British press made only the barest mention of his leave-taking. Although newspapers continued to advertise the sale of JA’s
Defence of the Const.
over the next few weeks, they ceased taking regular note of JA’s ongoing diplomatic activities in England and Holland. At month’s end, one London newspaper published the following update: “Mr. ADAMS, the American Embassador, on his return home, quits all official situation, and reverts to the practice of the Law” (London World, 21, 29 Feb.).
I am in hopes daily of receiving a letter from you in answer to my last.1 the delay of the letters which contained the proposition to the board of treasury takes away all probability of their answering in time, and I foresee that I shall be closely pressed by circumstances on that point. I have settled your matter with de la Blancherie, at the sum you fixed. (8 Louis) he demanded 12, but without a shadow of reason I think.
This letter will probably find you near your departure. I am in hopes it will be only a change of service, from helping us here, to 277 help us there. we have so few in our councils acquainted with foreign affairs, that your aid in that department, as well as others will be invaluable. the season of the year makes me fear a very disagreeable passage for mr̃s Adams & yourself. tho we have sometimes fine weather in these months. nobody will pray more sincerely than myself for your passage, that it may be short, safe and agreeable, that you may have a happy meeting with all your friends, be received by them with the gratitude you have merited at their hands, and placed in such a station as may be honourable to you & useful to them. Adieu, my dear Sir, and accept assurances of the unchangeable esteem and respect with which I am / Your friend & servant
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “A son Excellence / Monsieur Adams / Ministre plenipotentiaire des / Etats-Unis d’Amerique / á la cour de Londres”; internal address: “H.E. / Mr. Adams.”; docketed by JA: “Mr Jefferson / Feb. 20. 1788”; notation by CFA: “not published.” CFA presumably meant that the letter was not published in Jefferson, Correspondence, ed. Randolph.
Of 6 Feb., above.