Papers of John Adams, volume 11

From Edward Bridgen, 13 July 1781 Bridgen, Edward JA From Edward Bridgen, 13 July 1781 Bridgen, Edward Adams, John

From Edward Bridgen

Sir London July 13 1781

By the direction of our Mutual Friend Mr. Jennings I have sent to Ostend to the Care of Messrs. Theodoor Van Moorsel & Co. there, a Small packadge of Books Viz: Two Parliamentary Registers. The principles of Law and Goverment,1 and (by Mistake) a Novell called the Revolution2 which I was not apprized of untill too late.

You will also find 2 large 4to. Volumes of the Memoirs of Thos. Hollis Esqr. sent you by a Friend to Man.3 2 Small Pamphlets called the Means of National defence by a Free Militia 4 those I beg your Acceptance of. One also by a Friend5 of these you may have as Many as you please if you think they will be acceptable to your Friends.

Be pleased to know that the friend Edmond Jenings takes the liberty to assure you, Sir that I am allways at your command Yr. very huml. Servt.

Edwd: Bridgen6 418

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed by John Thaxter: “Mr. Bridgen 13th. July 1781”; notation by Bridgen: “To A A”; for which, see Jenings to JA, 19 July, below.

Principles of Law and Government, with An Inquiry into the Justice and Policy of the Present War, and the Most Effectual Means of Obtaining ... Peace, London, 1781, is in JA's library at the Boston Public Library ( Catalogue of JA's Library ).

An advertisement for The Revolution, A Novel that appeared in the London Chronicle of 14–16 June stated that “the moral of this Work is founded on the situation of the kingdom with respect to America and the common enemy.” A notice in the Chronicle of 3–5 July added that “this work is written on the plan of an epic poem.”

Francis Blackburne, Memoirs of Thomas Hollis, 2 vols., London, 1780. Thomas Brand Hollis, Thomas Hollis' heir and Blackburne's patron sent the volumes to JA, but they did not arrive (vol. 10:67–68; see also Edmund Jenings to JA, 17 Sept., below). Only the second volume is in JA's library at the Boston Public Library ( Catalogue of JA's Library ).

Probably [Granville Sharp], Tracts Concerning the Ancient and Only True Legal Means of National Defence, by a Free Militia, London, 1781. A copy of the 3d edn., London, 1782, is in JA's library at the Boston Public Library (same).

Neither the friend nor the pamphlet have been identified.

For Edward Bridgen, a North Carolinian and partner in the London mercantile firm of Bridgen & Waller, see vol. 9:10, 12.

To the President of Congress, 14 July 1781 JA President of Congress McKean, Thomas To the President of Congress, 14 July 1781 Adams, John President of Congress McKean, Thomas

To the President of Congress

Triplicate1 Sir Paris July 14th. 1781

I have the honor to inclose Copy of a Letter to the Comte de Vergennes, and Copy of Articles and an Answer.2

Peace is so desirable an Object, that humanity as well as Policy demands of every Nation to hearken with Patience and Sincerity to every Proposition which has a tendency to it, even only in appearance. I cannot however see any symptoms of a sincere disposition to it in the English. They are endeavouring to administer soporificks to their Enemies: but they will not succeed. Peace however will never be made by the English while they make any Figure in the United States.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest Respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servant.

J. Adams

RC and enclosures in John Thaxter's hand (PCC, Misc. Papers, Reel No. 1, f. 375–407); endorsed: “Letter July 14. 1781 Paris J. Adams Read Octr. 3. Covering a Discussion of the Propositions of the mediating Powers”; “Paris July 14 1781. J. Adams.” A second copy of this letter and enclosure (PCC, No. 84, III, f. 291–312), written by JA at Paris, reached Philadelphia on 1 March 1782. For the enclosures that went with the two letters, see note 2.

This word is in JA's hand.

The recipient's copy is accompanied by JA's letter to Vergennes of 13 July and its enclosed response, above, and also by JA's letters to Vergennes of 16, 18, 19, and 21 July and Vergennes' letter of 18 July, all below. The second copy, written at Paris, is accompanied only by copies of JA's letter to Vergennes of 13 July and its enclosed response.

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