Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 10

To Benjamin Franklin

To the President of Congress, No. 17
To Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 24 October 1780 JA Johonnot, Samuel Cooper To Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 24 October 1780 Adams, John Johonnot, Samuel Cooper
To Samuel Cooper Johonnot
My dear Sir Amsterdam Octr. 24. 1780

I have just recieved your letter of the Seventeenth of October, and am obliged to you for writing to me, upon the subject of it.

305

I ought to have written to His Excellency Dr. Franklin upon the subject before, but knowing His Excellencys Friendship for your Grand Papa, and that of Madame the Marquise de la Fayette, made me neglect it till now.1

You will present my respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and request his Excellency to be your Guardian, in my Absence, as it is difficult to remove you here, and you would not be pleased I think with the Change.

I have not received, any Remittance from your Papa Since We left America. It must have miscarried. As soon as I recieve any I will, write you about it. You speak French, I fancy, by this time, like a Native of Paris, and I hope you are making good Progress in all branches of Usefull Accomplishments.

With my Respects to Mr. & Mde. Pechini2 I remain yours &c.

John Adams

RC (Private owner, 1988); addressed partly by JA: “A Monsr. Mr. S. C. Johonnot chèz M. Pichingy Mtre. de Pension à Passy, au bas de la Montaigne”; endorsed: “The Hon John Adams Esqr Amsterdam Octob 24. Came to Hand Passy Oct. 28.”

1.

This letter to Samuel Cooper Johonnot likely went with another of this date to Benjamin Franklin (Private owner). There JA asked Franklin to look after Johonnot and indicated that, in the absence of any remittances from Gabriel Johonnot, he would take responsibility for the boy's expenses. For Gabriel Johonnot's efforts to send JA funds to reimburse him for his expenses in acting as Samuel Cooper Johonnot's guardian, see his letter of 8 Sept. (above). In a letter of 12 Nov. (Adams Papers), Johonnot sent JA his father's bill of exchange (not found) for his endorsement. JA returned the endorsed bill with his letter to Benjamin Franklin of 7 Dec. (PPAmP: Franklin Papers), and informed Gabriel Johonnot of his action in a letter of the same date (LbC, Adams Papers).

 2.

That is, the Pechignys, proprietors of the school attended by Samuel Cooper Johonnot, which JQA and CA had attended before leaving for the Netherlands.