Papers of John Adams, volume 20

To John Adams from William Temple Franklin, 13 October 1790 Franklin, William Temple Adams, John

From William Temple Franklin

Sir, Philadelphia, 13, Oct. 1790.

Permit me to inform your Excellency, that in consequence of pressing Letters from my Friends in England and France, urging me to go over immediately with my Grandfathers Papers, in order to derive that Advantage in the Publication of them, which, they say, delay would diminish;—& having likewise some other private Business to transact; I have concluded to go in the Pigou, which will sail for London the latter end of this Month.—1 It will give me great Pleasure, Sir, to be honor’d with yours & your Ladys Commands for that City, or Paris; whither I propose going sometime in January: And if during my stay in Europe I can in any way be useful to your Excellency, I beg you will command me freely, & be assur’d that I shall at all times 423 be happy to prove to you my Gratitude for past Favors, and how sincerely I am, / Sir, / Your Excellency’s / most obedient and / faithful humble Sert:

W. T. Franklin

My best Compliments to your Son.—

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Exy / John Adams Esqr.”

Franklin inherited more than 15,000 documents belonging to his grandfather Benjamin, and he carried 3,000 of them to England. He sailed via the Pigou, Capt. Collet, from Philadelphia on 5 Nov., before the Adamses departed New York. In 1818 he published a London edition of his Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin (Jefferson, Papers , 18:87, 88; Philadelphia Federal Gazette, 4 Nov. 1790; Philadelphia General Advertiser, 5 Nov.).

From John Adams to William Temple Franklin, 16 October 1790 Adams, John Franklin, William Temple

To William Temple Franklin

Sir New York, October 16 1790.

Last night I had the pleasure to receive your obliging letter of the 13 of this month, and thank you for your information of your intention to embarke for Europe. The advice of your friends in France and England, to be as early as possible in the publication of your Grandfathers papers, is probably judicious; as a certain ardor of curiosity wears off in such cases commonly, in time. Your friend my dear Mrs. Adams is ill in bed, of a fever; and which renders the misfortune more severe, we were all packed up for a removal to Philadelphia.1 I am however still in hopes that we shall, be at Bush-hill before you embark; in which case I shall request the favor of you to take a small Packett or two. But, if contrary to my hopes, and expectations, we should not see you before you Sail, present my affectionate regards to all our good friends in France and England, especially the marquis and his Lady, Mr Grand and family, and the Abbys De Chalut and Arnoux; In England to Mr Hartly Dr Price Mr Brand Hollis and the Vaughan Family. I shall be glad to hear of your wellfare, and to read your observations upon the progress of Liberty in Europe. I am Sir with much esteem and regard your most obedient Servt.

John Adams

LbC in CA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “William T / Franklin Esqr”; APM Reel 115.

AA had been suffering from intermittent shaking fits and “voilent fever,” likely malaria, since 10 Oct., and she began to recover in early November ( AFC , 9:140, 141, 142).

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