Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 21

334 John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 November 1794 Adams, John Jefferson, Thomas
To Thomas Jefferson
Dear Sir Philadelphia Nov. 21. 1794

I am desired by our old Acquaintance Mr D’Ivernois to transmit you the inclosed Papers for your inspection Opinion and Advice. The poor Fellow has been obliged to fly a Second time into Banishment. The first time, he was driven out as a Democrat: but it is now, Day about, as they Say, in Geneva, and he is compelled to run, as an Aristocrat.1

Shall We print his History? What Shall We do with his Academy?

I have Spent my Summer So deliciously in farming that I return to the old story of Politicks with great Reluctance. The Earth is grateful. you find it so, I dare say. I wish We could both say the Same of its Inhabitants.

When will the Crisis of this fever in human Nature be over, and in what State of Health will it be left? Solitudinem faicunt, Pacem Libertatem appellant.2

Virginia I hope will send Us some good Senators, We grow very thin.3 I begin to think the Senate Scarcely numerous enough for so large a People. But this is not a time for Changes: We must go on as well as we can. Make my Compliments, if you please to your Daughters, whom I had once the Pleasure to see, and for whom I retain much Esteem. I am, sir / with great Regard, your / most obedient

John Adams

RC (DLC:Jefferson Papers); internal address: “Mr Jefferson”; endorsed: “Adams John Nov 21. 94. / Recd. Dec. 2.”; docketed by Jefferson: “Adams John. Nov 21. 94. / recd Dec. 2.”

 1.

See François d’Ivernois’ 30 Aug. letter, and notes 1 and 2, above.

 2.

“They make a desolation and they call it peace” (Tacitus, Agricola, transl. M. Hutton and W. Peterson, Cambridge, Eng., 1914, ch. 30).

 3.

Virginia senators James Monroe and John Taylor both resigned in May. By 18 Nov. Henry Tazewell and Stevens Thomson Mason were chosen as replacements. Tazewell took his seat on 29 Dec., but Mason did not attend the 2d session of the Senate ( Biog. Dir. Cong. ; U.S. Senate, Jour. , 3d Cong., 2d sess., p. 138).

 John Jay to John Adams, 21 November 1794 Jay, John Adams, John
From John Jay
Dear Sir London 21 Nov. 1794

From the Day of my appointment to this mission, my Attention has been much withdrawn from my friends, and confined to the Business which brought me here; & which has at last been terminated 335 by a Treaty. In future I shall have more Leisure to attend to my friends, and to my own affairs—

Both your Sons arrived here in good Health— I wrote to my friend John lately, but as yet have not had a Letter from him— I ascribe this to his Prudence—1 In such Times and under such Circumstances much ought not to be written— Holland is in a sadway—

It may seem extraordinary, but the fact appears to me to be, that this nation has never been more united in any War than in this. circumstances may press them to listen to Propositions of Peace, but not without Reluctance. If the War should continue, I think we may easily avoid being involved in it—

I write in too much haste to make this Letter interesting, by Remarks on the Treaty— they might be entertaining, but to You not necessary—

with sincere Esteem and Regard / I am Dear Sir / Your Friend & hble Servt

John Jay—

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

 1.

Jay had written to JQA six days earlier (Adams Papers). He congratulated the statesman on his arrival at The Hague, sent greetings to TBA, and introduced New York merchant Ryer Schermerhorn. JA’s sons dined with Schermerhorn on 6 Dec. (Jay, Selected Papers , 6:263; D/JQA/22, 5, 6 Dec., APM Reel 25).