Papers of John Adams, volume 16

Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 17 October 1784 Jefferson, Thomas Adams, John Franklin, Benjamin

Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

Cul-de-sac Tetebout. Oct. 17. 1784.

Mr̃ Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams & Dr. Franklin, and incloses to them the letter to the D. of Dorset on the separate articles.1 he also sends one on the general subject & in the general form as had been agreed when they parted last: but thinking that it might be better, by reciting what had been done with mr̃ Hartley to keep the ground we have gained, and not to admit that we misplaced our overtures, by taking no notice of them, he submits to the gentlemen a second draught, copied from the first as to the recital of the powers but varied in the latter paragraph. they will be so good as to take their choice of the two forms and having signed the one they prefer mr̃ J. will add his signature to the same.2

P. S. he is ready at any moment to concur in a letter or letters on the subject of the man in the inquisition3

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Messrs. Adams & Franklin.”; endorsed: “Mr Jefferson / Oct. 17th. 1784.”

This is the commissioners’ second letter of 28 Oct. to the Duke of Dorset, below, in which they proposed adjustments to the provisions of the Anglo-American definitive peace treaty.

This is the commissioners’ first letter of 342 28 Oct. to Dorset, below. JA and Franklin evidently approved Jefferson’s second draft with its references to the cordial communications between the commissioners and David Hartley. Jefferson’s first draft has not been found.

Massachusetts merchant Jonas Hartwell had been arrested by the Inquisition at Bilbao, Spain. For the circumstances of his case and the action taken by the commissioners on his behalf, see the 25 Nov. letter from Wilhem & Jan Willink, and note 1, below.

Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 18 October 1784 Barclay, Thomas Adams, John

From Thomas Barclay

Dear Sir L’Orient 18th. October 1784—

Inclosed is a letter which I received Yesterday under Cover from Mr. Dumas, I suppose the old Gentleman sent it to Me, as you are wholly Unknown in and about Paris—1 I hope the security of the Conveyance will make You amends for the Delay—

I have purchased for Mrs. Adams some Hyson, and other Teas, which will be left at Pichinies at Passy Near the Barrier au Conferance, who keeps a Pension,2 It is Containd in a Box with other Teas for Doctor Franklin and Mr. Jefferson— The quality Not Very uncommon, but as good as any at this place, of the last Importation from China, and so reasonable in the price that I Dare Not Mention it. lest you shou’d think less of the Tea than it deserves—

You were Extremely well off in getting the set of China which was Intended for Mr. Ridley for I do assure You, there is Not such a one for Sale in this Town— I intend to return to Paris, by way of Bordeaux. Can I do any thing for you there, do You want any wines, of Good Quality and at the Cheapest rate.

I have a great mind to send you a Couple of hhds. of Obrion Claret3 at 500 livres Per hhd— I shall desire Mr. Darcel to Call on you for 1000 livres. which please to pay him on My acco.4

You will have the Goodness to present My Best wishes to Mrs. Adams and Miss Adams, and to beleiv Me My Dear Sir / Your Very Aff. / and Obedient Servant

Thos Barclay

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “His Excellency / Jno. Adams Esqre / Minister Plenipotentiary / from the United States / of America / at / Auteuil near Paris—”; internal address: “Mr. Adams—”; endorsed: “Mr Barclay / Ansd. 31. Oct. 1784.”

JA in his 25 Aug. letter to C. W. F. Dumas, above, suggested that Dumas send letters to him under cover to Barclay. The letter that Barclay received at Lorient was likely Dumas’ of 31 Aug. (Adams Papers), for which see Dumas’ letter of 10 Sept., above.

The Pechignys, husband and wife, were proprietors of a pension, or boarding school, at Passy, which JQA and CA attended in 1780 before JA took them to the Netherlands ( AFC , 3:271–273).

Likely an anglicization or phonetic spelling of Haut Brion, then and now one of the great wine chateaus in the Bordeaux region.

Matthew Ridley’s clerk, Nicholas Darcel, followed up on Barclay’s letter to JA with his own [ante 29 Oct.] note to JA, asking for payment of 1,000 livres tournois on Barclay’s 343 account and promising to leave a receipt with the clerk of Paris banker Augustin Forestier, which he did on the 29th (both Adams Papers). In his 31 Oct. reply to Barclay (LbC, APM Reel 107), JA indicated that he would pay the sum as requested and that he had no need of the claret “as I have a Sufficient quantity upon the Road, ordered long Since from Bourdeaux, which I expect to arrive every moment” (Morris, Papers , 9:470; Luc Vincent Thiéry, Almanach du voyageur a Paris, Paris, 1784, p. 115). JA also enclosed for forwarding a letter from Dumas to the president of Congress, probably of 8 Oct., for which see Thulemeier’s letter to the commissioners of the same date, and note 1, above.