Papers of John Adams, volume 14

From Francis Dana, 26 January 1783 Dana, Francis Adams, John

From Francis Dana

Dear Sir St: Petersbourg Jany: 15th. 1783. O.S. [26 January N. S.]

The post of this day has brôt me your favour of the 22d. ulto: in which you acknowledge the receipt of mine of the 14/25 of Novr:. I have since written to you upon the 8th & 30th. of Dec r:1 & 2/13 inst: as also to the Commissioners upon the third in answer to their joint letter—2 In the first place let me thank the Dr. & you for the ready manner in which you have consented to my proposition— You say my treaty may now be made as soon as I please. I shou'd rejoice most sincerely if that was the truth of fact. Besides what is said in my letter to the Commissioners, you are acquainted with the positive nature of my last Instructions, and know that I cannot move till I am advised to do so. There are in my opinion no plausible pretences to countenance a refusal at this time. It wou'd mark so strong a partiality as wou'd throw all the dishonour of it upon Her Imperial Majesty. Yet things are so strangely conducted here, that I 213cannot take upon me to say with certainty, what wou'd be the effect of an immediate communication. You will readily agree that, all things considered, it wou'd be taking too much upon myself to make it. The Ministry here are well enô informed of my business. yet they preserve a most profound reserve. Which, I think, is as impolitic as profound: Do you ask me Do they not see and feel that America is Independant? That they must soon speak it out? Will they wait till the moment shall arrive when the United States will not thank them for doing so? Will they suffer all the other Neutral Powers to take the step of their Sovereign in a measure in wh: she might lead them with so much glory to Herself? Yes my friend, I believe, all these questions may be answered in the affirmative. Do you ask how is this to be accounted for. I can say in general, they are looking for glory towards the East only; when they might find no inconsiderable portion of it in the West.

I have long been persuaded of the friendly sentiments of the Sovereign you name.3 The measure he has taken redounds much to his honour, and is a new proof of his wisdom.

Why have you been totally silent about your Son? Have you heard from him on his route? I have had no letter from him since that of the 13th. of Decr: from Stockholm. Four posts from thence are due here. I presume he must have arrived in Holland. Adieu my Dear Sir, / Your's affectionately

F DANA

P.S. Give me the earliest possible intelligence when the point is settled—Peace or War. You may in such case address directly to my bankers. wh: will save time.

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Exy. Mr. J Adams / Minister Plenipotentiary &c” endorsed: “Mr Dana / Jan. 15. asnd Feb. 22 / 1783.” Filmed at 15 January.

That is, [19 Dec. 1782] and [10 Jan. 1783], both above.

The commissioners’ letter was of 12 Dec. and Dana's reply was of 14 Jan., both above.

The king of Sweden; see JA's letter of 22 Dec., above.

To Edmund Jenings, 28 January 1783 Adams, John Jenings, Edmund

To Edmund Jenings

Sir, Paris Jany. 28th. 1783.

I am happy to find by your favor of the 23d. that You are safely arrived after a good Journey.

It is best I believe that nothing should be said between You two about the Affair in which both have been perfectly innocent. If You 214go I wish You a good Journey, but cannot warrant You against fresh troubles—for neither the Innocence nor Virtue of Angels would be a Security against them in a World, which abounds with so many mischievous Spirits.

Your own Sentiments are so just & so well reasoned upon public Affairs, that You can go no where without doing good, & it would be ridiculous in me to advise You.

The whole System of my Politicks is summarily comprehended in your own Precept vizt. “Make & keep Independence independent”— Every Step to that End is a wise one, & every Appearance to the contrary is Mischief—

I can answer for myself, & I believe for many others— For myself, I have hitherto lived an independant Man, and it is my intention to die so.—

The Paper You ask for, if it is in being, is many hundreds of Miles from me, & cannot be come at but by myself—

I congratulate You upon the Signature of the Preliminaries and the Armistice on the 20th. You may insert these three Commissions in the English Papers or Remembrancer as soon as You please—1 Dr. Franklin has written a fresh Resignation to Congress, as his Son tells me.2

With great Esteem & Affection, I have the honor &c

LbC in John Thaxter's hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr. Jenings.” APM Reel 108.

The commissions sent to Jenings almost certainly included that of 29 Sept. 1779 authorizing JA to negotiate an Anglo-American commercial treaty, since revoked on 12 July 1781. The commission and the resolution revoking it appeared in the Morning Chronicle and London Advertiser of 11 March and later in part 1 of John Almon's Remembrancer for 1783, p. 315. See also Jenings’ letter of 14 March and Henry Laurens’ of 26 March, both below. The other two commissions cannot be identified precisely but were probably JA's original commission of 29 Sept. 1779 to negotiate an Anglo-American peace treaty and that of [29 Dec. 1780] to negotiate a Dutch-American commercial treaty (vol. 8:185, cal.; 10:449). It almost certainly did not include the 15 June 1781 joint commission to negotiate an Anglo-American peace treaty (vol. 11:371–374), which the commissioners had exchanged with their British counterparts and which in company with Richard Oswald's commission appeared in various London newspapers, including the London Chronicle of 25–27 February.

Presumably JA means Franklin's grandson William Temple Franklin. No January letter from Franklin to Congress renewing his request to resign has been found, but see the last paragraph of that to Robert R. Livingston that was begun on 5 Dec. 1782 and finished on the 14th (Franklin, Papers , 38:410–417).