Papers of John Adams, volume 20
r25
th1789
I beg leave to inform you that Princes Chronology is now in the office, unless the same fairy who bro’t it has carried it away again—1 Since you left us I have repeatedly search’d for it to no purpose & had given it over, but chancing to go in yesterday this Book Struck me as one I had not seen & was quite sure was not on the shelf the day before, taking it up I found it to be the very one you seem’d so anxious to recover— If this intelligence will give pleasure enough to attone for my boldness in writing to the Vice President I shall be happy.
I have not yet executed any part of the commission with which you were pleased to honour me but am determin’d health permitting to do my best in cleaning & setting the Books in order This I cant do but in a warm spell of weather as our finances are too low to afford a fire in that room— My intention was to take a Catalogue & transmit to you, but Cos: W Cranch says he is commisioned to do this part, which is much better on many accounts for I shou’d have been sadly put to it to write Greek & Hebrew, as well as puzzled in spelling the other languages—2
186Mamma & sister join with me in wishing Dr Adams an agreable journey & happy Meeting with his family—also in
repectful compliments to his Lady & love to Mrs & Miss Smith
I am Sir your humle Servant
RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Polly Palmer / 25. Nov. 1789.”
Thomas Prince, Chronological History of
New-England, Boston, 1736.
Mary Palmer (Polly, 1746–1791) was the niece of AA’s
sister Mary Smith Cranch, and a resident at Peacefield. JA admired
Palmer’s skill as a writer, telling AA that “her Narration is executed,
with a Precision and Perspicuity, which would have become the Pen of an accomplished
Historian.” William Cranch (1769–1855), AA’s nephew, worked with Palmer
to compile JA’s book list, which the vice president used to select
volumes for his New York home (
AFC
, 1:18; 2:27, 67; 8:385;
Catalogue of JA’s
Library
). For more on JA’s book catalog, see Descriptive List of Illustrations,
No. 2, above.
La lettre, dont voús m’avés honoré le 26 de Maÿ m’est bien parvenúe dans son temps, avec le second, et troisieme tome de Votre Oúvrage, qué je desirois beaucoúp d’avoir, a caúse de son contenú interessant.1 La maniere, dont voús avés developpé vos principes sur̃ la meilleúre forme de gouvernement ne peut etre qu’approuveé generalement, et il seroit a soúhaiter, qu’il pút etre súivi par toút, mais les circonstances ne permettent pas toújoúrs de le mettre en exécution. J’ai appris avec ún veritable plaisir, Monsiéur, qué le nouveaú gouvernement voús a choisi, comme Vice-President, dont j’ai l’honneúr de voús feliciter. Soús votre sage direction, et celle de Votre Illústre Chef, on ne peút, qué bien augurer poúr la Republiqué des Etats Unis, à laquelle je souhaite toúte sorte de bonheúr et de prosperité, avec la conservation de la paix, quí voús convient, aússi bien qu’a noús. Dieú veuille noús l’accorder longtemps.
Notre ami commún, Dr Maclaine a eté
tres sensible a Votre souvenir.2 Il voús
donnera lui meme de ses nouvelles. Il ne me reste, qué de voús assúrer de la haute
estime, et de l’attachement respectúeux, avec lequél j’ai l’honneúr d’etre, / Monsieúr /
Votre tres humble et / tres obeissant serviteúr
TRANSLATION
The letter that you honored me with of the 26th of May reached me in due time, along with the second and third volumes of your work, which I greatly desired to have because of its interesting contents.1 The way in 187 188 which you have developed your principles on the best form of government can only be broadly approved of, and it is to be hoped that it may be followed everywhere, yet circumstances do not always allow it to be implemented. I was genuinely delighted when I learned, sir, that the new government chose you as vice president, for which I have the honor of congratulating you. Through your wise guidance and that of your illustrious leader, one can only anticipate good things for the republic of the United States, for which I wish every kind of happiness and prosperity, with preservation of peace, which is as agreeable to you as it is to us. May God grant us it for a long time yet.
Our mutual friend, Dr. Maclaine was very touched by the memory of you.2 He will give you his news. It remains only for me to guarantee you the high esteem and respectful attachment with which I have the honor to be, sir, your most humble and obedient servant.
RC (Adams Papers).
Vol. 19:474–475.
Rev. Archibald MacLaine, Presbyterian pastor of the English Church at The Hague, had last corresponded with JA in 1783 (vol. 15:45–46).