Papers of John Adams, volume 11
The Letters I received at Leyden, obliged me to leave you Sooner than I intended,1 but I did not know, I shall soon See you again, at the Hague.
I have received, important Dispatches from Congress, upon which I want your Advice. I hope it is no bad News. You will Say nothing, reflect well upon the Times, and be prepared to answer me, serious Questions upon public Affairs—nothing personal—nor selfish—nor little. I shall See you, in the Course of next Week—if nothing turns up, to prevent it, which I dont foresee. Dont raise your Expectations too high—remember—Nil Admirari.2
These letters were of 1 Jan. from the president of Congress, 6 Jan. from James Lovell, 21 Feb. from Hendrik Bicker, and 22 Feb. from Jean de Neufville & Fils, all above. The first two were enclosed with the Neufville letter.
That is, wonder at nothing. Immediately after this letter, as printed in the Boston Patriot, JA wrote “I soon returned to Leyden, and determined to begin by communicating the resolution of congress to the ambassadors of the neutral courts; first to that from Russia” (JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot
, p. 392). For JA's efforts in this regard, see his letters of 8 March to Dumas and Prince Gallitzin, both below.