Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 1
Mr. Artaud dined at Mr. Rimbert's. In the afternoon he came with two of Mr. Rimbert's nephews and we went to the shops. Took a ride. Mr. Hoogwerst came and made us a visit. He told us that the States General of the United Provinces had on the 19th. of April declared acknowledged America, independant.1 Fine clear weather.
For a discussion of JA's long and persistent efforts to achieve Dutch recognition, see
Diary and Autobiography
, 3:3–5. JA's own account of events just before and immediately following the recognition appears in
Adams Family Correspondence,
4:312–313.
This morning I went with Mr. D. to the Dutch Ambassador's and to the Resident's.1 Went and took a walk upon the quay with Mr. Artaud. Mr. D. spent the evening out. Clear weather.
Dutch recognition of American independence brought closer diplomatic ties between the isolated Dana and Dutch representatives at St. Petersburg. Dana wrote to JA on this day: “The Dutch Resident made a visit yesterday to give me the news. I have visited
This forenoon Mr. Wolff came to see Mr. D. Mr. D. went and took a walk upon the quay. Stay'd at home all day. Fine clear weather.
This forenoon Mr. Peyron came to see us. Mr. D. went to Mr. Wolff's. Mr. Colombi came here. Dined at Mr. Rimbert's. After dinner we went and took a ride to Catharinen hoff.1 This is the same holiday here, as long-champs at Paris.2
Catarinenhoff or Katarinenhof, a palace, located south and west of St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland, built in 1703 by Peter the Great and named after his wife the Empress Catherine I (John Parkinson, A Tour of Russia, Siberia and the Crimea, 1792–1794, ed. William Collier, London, 1971, p. 244; Storch, Picture of Petersburg
, p. xv).
The annual procession of carriages through the Bois de Boulogne on the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before Easter, which allowed Parisians to show off their carriages, horses, and of course themselves; see entry for 25 March 1785 (below).