Papers of John Adams, volume 17
I received Yesterday your favour of the 3d. The Letters you Sent me from America I have received. one Packet contained old News Papers, the other the Ratification of my last Loan.1
I have received the orders of Congress to go to London according to the Article you read in an English News Paper which appears to have been copied, from a Gazette of New York. I have received too a Commission and Letter of Credence as Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the King of Great Britain, and Mr William Smith, formerly Aid de Camp of General Washington, is Secretary of Legation. Congress have resolved too, that it will be expedient to appoint a Minister to their High Mightinesses to Succeed me. at first I concluded to go to the Hague, and take my Leave of their High Mightinesses, and of the Nation, with all that Respect, Affection and Gratitude, which is due from me to them. but as I have not received a Letter of Recall, and my Successor is not arrived, I cannot yet take Leave according to the Forms; and I learn that Colonel Smith was to embark in the Packett for Falmouth, So that he may be expected by this Time, and I must See him as soon as possible, to receive from him Some additional Papers among which may possibly be, my Letter of Recall, So that I have concluded to go to London first. Upon the Arrival of my Letter of Recall or of my Successor, I Shall go over to the Hague if possible. But if I Should chance to be engaged in Business for the Public, which I cannot leave, I Shall take Leave of their High Mightinesses, and of his most Serene Highness by a respectfull Letter. In this Case however, I will not loose the Pleasure of a Visit to Holland, and of Seeing my Friends there, but will take a Journey thither with Mrs Adams as soon as the Public Service will admit.
Whither this Mission to London is a subject of Felicitation or not, I know not.— one Thing I know, I quit the Situation in Europe the most to my Taste, and the most for my Health, for one, which will probably be agreable to neither. I exchange a quiet chearfull Mind for an anxious one and a Life of Ease, for a Scæne of Perplexity, Confusion and Fatigue. if the Public, however, Should derive any benefit from it, I Shall not regrett it.
Dr Franklin has leave to return, and talks of embarking next Month. Mr Jefferson is Minister Plenipotentiary, at Versailles in his 107Stead. Our Commissions to negotiate Commercial Treaties remain in Force, and We shall continue that Business, Mr Jefferson and I, as usual. We shall concert all affairs by Letter, and meet together to Sign in London or Paris as may be convenient, or Sign the Treaties Seperately, if We cannot meet. The Communication between the Hague and London will be shorter and more frequent and I hope to hear from you often. My Family send their Respects to yours. My son is to take leave of Us tomorrow Morning and may Heavens Blessings attend him. Remember him and his Father to all our good Friends whom you know very well. With great Respect &c
FC (private owner, 1978); internal address: “Mr Dumas.”; docketed: “Copy of Letter to / Mr Dumas / May. 11. 1785 / from Auteuil. / original of which he / delivered to Mr Fagel.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 107.
The packets from America were sent under cover of Dumas’ letter of 19 April (Adams Papers), which JA received on the 23d. For their arrival at the post office at The Hague, see JA’s 24 April letter to John Jay, above.
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me on the third of this Month, and am happy to find by the Letters inclosed which I have communicated to my Colleagues, that the negociation is likely to terminate happily to mutual satisfaction. I have long had a desire of seeing my Country Connected with the King of Prussia, and no Small ambition of having a Share in effecting it.
if you should hear of my being in London, you may Still address your Letters in the same manner, for there is no change made in our Commissions to treat with His Prussian Majesty or any other Power— all Letters addressed to us all may be sent either to me in London to Mr Jefferson at Paris, or Dr Franklin at Passy, while he stays and after his departure they may Still come to me or Mr Jefferson, who shall communicate frequently with each other
I know of No objection against signing the Treaty as you Propose, by yourself at the Hague, by me in London and Mr Franklin and Mr Jefferson at Passy Paris we may communicate by the Couriers of their High Mightinesses to London or by our own or by Private Hands
with Great respect I have the Honour to be sir / yours &c &c.
LbC in AA2’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Monsieur Le Baron / De Thulemeyer / Envoyee Extraordinaire du Roi, / de Prusse a la Haye”; APM Reel 107.