Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 10

To the President of Congress, No. 23

From Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol
To Thomas Digges, 27 November 1780 JA San, Fernando Raymond Digges, Thomas Church, William Singleton To Thomas Digges, 27 November 1780 Adams, John San, Fernando Raymond Digges, Thomas Church, William Singleton
To Thomas Digges
Dr. Sir Amst. Nov. 27. 1780

I have received yours of the 17. with its Inclosure and that of the 22d.—and thank you for both.

Things are coming to an Extremity, that Philanthropy would wish to avoid: but thus it ever was, in Similar Cases. A free Nation corrupted, becomes an Hell, a Society of Devils. Angells fallen, retain nothing but immortal Hate. Come out of her, my People! Says a good old Book.1

This Republick has determined to acceed to the armed Neutrality. But most of the Provinces and indeed most of the cities of Holland will disavow the Treat Negotiation of the Regency of Amsterdam: but they cannot punish Van Berkell and his Acomplices, because they are a Limb of the Sovereignty.

Singleing him out will make him, the most conspicuous and the most respected of the Citizens. But this is the ministerial Method of making great Men. In this Way Wilks, Hancock, and Adams were made famous.2

What will Govt. do about the armed Neutrality? Will they charge Russia, Sweeden, and Denmark with Faction, Sedition, Cabal, and Rebellion? Why dont they Demand that Panin and his Accomplices should be punished?

Adieu affectionatly

F.R.S.

LbC (Adams Papers); directed to: “W. S. C.”

1.

With this reference to Revelations 18:2–4, JA compares Great Britain to Babylon.

 2.

For the persecution of John Wilkes, which made him a hero to JA and other American whigs, see vol. 1:xiii–xiv, 214–216. For John Hancock and Samuel Adams, see JA's letter of 16 Nov. to the president of Congress, No. 20, and note 5 (above).