Though I was not fortunate enough to See Dr Belknap and Morse, as you Excellencÿ kindly intended, there they went not so far to the western as the place of mÿ abode— the first of these Gentlemen favour’d me with an Letter, and included yours of Jun. 3th. 1 How retired my way of living maÿ be, to which I am obliged as wel as enclined, I should have rejoiced at becoming acquainted with Such estimable Characters, as your Excell: condescended to recommend to me.

Considerable events have taken place in Europe Since my last—and I am verÿ doubtful, if these Shall not be Succeeded by others—perhaps no less astonishing, than what had been blending the eÿes of our modern daylÿ Politicians. France made one bold step—but time alone will prove, if it was a step towards a gradual perfection—or that She—being entirely wearied—changed alone her posture—and outward appearance— the Same Seeds of fermentation destroying Secretly the most noble vital parts. for the benefit of mankind we maÿ wish that the first maÿ be true, but, if we consult with past ages and the domenant national character, then yet, with the warmest wishes for their prosperitÿ, we maÿ doubt at the happÿ issue of their Arduous Struggle. Perhaps Sir! I have alreadÿ been too long removed of the Scene of action, to appreciate the real value of men and things—and it will not be a deadlÿ Sin in an inhabitant of the western woods—if he is a Little more or less mistaken in his guessings about the Political evenements of the continent. But, Should it not be possible that by his new Constitution a School was opened for new divisions, and that it was only intended bÿ the few, to throw a veil over their true intention and cover a plan—not yet organised—alone in embrÿo?

I know your Excel̃l. wil rather excuse mÿ ravings in Politics, than if I could commit the Same blunders in morals—but I cannot yet discover the contradiction, Whÿ different members of the Directorÿ—of different Sentiments—principles and vues—may not allure a considerable number among the Ancients and five hundred in their opinions and divide so the whole Communalty in a Duum- or Triumvirate—neither it Seems to me an absurdity—among a nation—So warm—so Sensible—So electric—that one of the Directorÿ—a man of Superior talents—a Guise—by example—after having captivated the 507 mob bÿ Some happÿ or Splendid Atchievments, favoured bÿ the cercumstances of time, maÿ get Such an ascendant in the council of the ancients—and 500—or Self alone in the Latter assemblÿ— That this Bodÿ was—with—or againt its will—obliged by an intoxicated Populace, to wrap a civic crown—easy changed with a diadem—around the head of this Dis-intrested Patriot— The Victories of this nation, in the mean time shall eternise her name in the annals of Libertÿ, and the battle of Lodi will afford a fresh proof, that the valour of the best-disciplind troops fals too short by the undaunted intrepidity of Her votaries—2 Your Excellencÿ Shall expect that I am not Silent with regard to the Dutch— but what shall I saÿ—knowing Scarce yet, where to set mÿ foot, to look quietly around, to distinguish the objects and appreciate them— If the Dutch People has preserved more of a National Character—and Patriotism, than I believed in the years—from 81–87— If theÿ can become Superior to partÿ-prejudices—and make a generous Sacrifice of the private Interests of Provinces—cities in each of them—of individuals—If the majoritÿ—as wel as the pars potior—are united—without any controul from abroad—if they are Sure, that France nevel will—(Selvs not)3 if bÿ this trifle—They could obtain the utmost of her wishes—betraÿ the Dutch to England and Prussia—just as She betray’d them in 87—and if the Dutch then can agree to adopt a good constitution and return to the good faith—industrÿ—and frugal Life of their ancestors, then the Descendants of the Vanquishers of Philip will be again by their virtues the astonisment of their contemporaries of Posteritÿ— But, Sir! there is yet So much wanting to compleat this collection of ifs—that I am yet verÿ anxious about the issue. It seems to me, as of the Principal Leading men were of the old-aristocratical faction—they are, the best—the ablest—and most desinterested some of the Democratical party of that time, equal to the former in abilities and dis-intrested views—are again in the minoritÿ— It is not to be feared again—if the virtuous of both parties can not be reconciled together—that both will be overpowered bÿ a [. . .] Lurking in the darkness—and adsisted—in the prop[. . .] bÿ the vicious—profligate and unprincipled maj[. . . .] muss— I hope, that I soon maÿ [. . . .]seded by your Excellency all a false Prophet—’though I never wish to return again in that once beloved Countrÿ—’though the most Scanty circumstances may be my share—trough the rest of my days—in the lonely woods—I am, and shall remain a wel-wisher of the Dutch, and would rejoice, if they became a free, independent People, and formed themselves a constitution, what ensured them peace and prosperitÿ—

Favour me with the continuance of your remembrance— permit me, to recommend my whole familÿ to your Excell̃. obliging attention. and allow me to remain with Sentiments of the highest consideration and esteem / Sir! / Your Excel̃l: obliged and / most humble St.

I have just received your letter of the 29th ulto. enquiring about your son Thos. B. Adams at the Hague. On the day of the date of your letter I recd. one from him dated the 28th of May, from which be pleased to receive the following extract, containing all the information I can give in answer to your enquiries excepting that the latest letter from your eldest son is dated the 22d. of June in which he says nothing of his brother; whence you may hope that he had recovered his health.1

Extract from T.B.A’s letter of May 28th. 96.

“For the interruption which has taken place in my correspondence, since the commencement of March, I can only offer as an apology, the derangement in my health, occasioned by repeated attacks with disorders incident to this climate. The season indeed, has been more than usually unhealthy, and the multiciplicity of diseases through the Spring is attributed to the remarkable mildness of the winter.”

On the same 29th of August I recd. the letter of June 22d. from your son J.Q.A. with others dated the 4th 11th & 16th of the same month. In that of June 4th he says “On the 28th ulto. I left London, and came over in a small Prussian vessel to Rotterdam. On the 31st I arrived at this place.” In the same letter he says—“my brother has regularly supplied, as far as the state of his health has permitted, 509 the information which in England I could not transmit, nor obtain, of the general progress of affairs in this country.”2

I hope by the same conveyance which brought me those letters, you will have received some that may dispel all your apprehensions.

You will wonder that your son J.Q.A. should have remained so long in London: His letter of June 22d accounts for it: He wanted money to enable him to leave London: the ten thousand dollars given here to Mr. Randolph on the 14th of Augt. 1795, were destined to defray the expences of your son’s mission to London. After his resignation, as soon as he returned from his journey to Rhode Island, I sent the chief Clerk to enquire what had been done with that money. He assured the Clerk that he had remitted every dollar; and that he would send him the letters which accompanied the remittance. The letters have not been sent to this office; nor has any banker or foreign correspondent ever advised me of the receipt of any part of the 10,000$ and your son’s letter now convinces me that Mr. R. never made the remittance.— On the 21st of May Mr. Pinckney received from me a remittance of £5000. sterling, out of which your son was supplied.

After your eldest son’s appointment for Portugal, there was some difficulty in providing a successor at the Hague; & it was not thought improper to leave the place vacant.3 It was also judged best that Colo. Humphreys should close the Algerine business before he should leave Portugal. Letters were therefore sent to both, informing of their new appointments, but desiring them to remain where they were for further advice.4 The Algerine business is unhappily yet in suspense; and no further advice has been transmitted to either in respect to their future proceeding. As soon as any thing shall be decided, I will do myself the pleasure to inform you. The intelligence with which the letters of your younger son have been written, show that the affairs of the U. States in the Netherlands might very well be committed to his direction: but I do not know what are the President’s intentions on the subject.

With sincere respect / I am dear sir / your obt. servt.