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Front Page  Titles (by Subject) ANSWER TO THE QUERIES. - The Works of John Adams, vol. 7 (Letters and State Papers 1777-1782)
ANSWER TO THE QUERIES. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 7 (Letters and State Papers 1777-1782) [1852]Edition used:The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 7.
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- Official Letters, Messages, and Public Papers.
- Introductory Note.
- 28 Nov. 1777: The President of Congress to John Adams.
- 3 Dec. 1777: The President of Congress to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- To Henry Laurens, President of Congress.
- To the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
- Baron De Kalb to John Adams.
- ( Inclosed With the Foregoing. ) Baron De Kalb to the Comte De Broglie.
- Baron De Kalb to M. Moreau.
- 9 Jan. 1778: The Marquis De La Fayette to John Adams.
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- To the Marquis De La Fayette.
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine. 2
- To the Committee of Commerce.
- M. De Sartine to the Commissioners.
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- The Commissioners to the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
- M. De Sartine to the Commissioners. ( Translation. ) 1
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- The Commissioners to M. De Beaumarchais.
- The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- To M. Le Ray De Chaumont.
- M. Le Ray De Chaumont to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- M. De Sartine to the Commissioners. ( Translation. )
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to the President of Congress.
- To the American Prisoners In Forton, Plymouth, Or Elsewhere In Great Britain.
- To Ralph Izard.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- Ralph Izard to John Adams.
- To Ralph Izard.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- The Commissioners to William Lee.
- Ralph Izard to John Adams.
- The Commissioners to John Ross.
- The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- To Ralph Izard.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- To Arthur Lee.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- M. Genet 1 to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to M. Schweighauser.
- The Commissioners to the President of Congress.
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- To the President of Congress.
- The Commissioners to Dr. Price.
- The Commissioners to John Ross.
- 1 Jan. 1779: The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- The Commissioners to John Lloyd and Others.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams.
- To the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
- To M. De Sartine.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To the President of Congress.
- M. De Sartine to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- ( Inclosed With the Preceding. ) M. De Sartine to Benjamin Franklin.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- To Arthur Lee.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the Treasury Board.
- The Chevalier De La Luzerne to John Adams.
- The Chevalier De La Luzerne to Captain Chavagnes.
- M. De Marbois to John Adams.
- To M. De Sartine.
- To M. De La Luzerne.
- To M. De Marbois.
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- 15 Feb, 1780: To the President of Congress.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To M. Genet.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- M. Genet to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Genet.
- To General Knox.
- To Captain Landais.
- To the President of Congress.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- William Lee to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- William Lee to John Adams.
- To Arthur Lee.
- To William Lee.
- To W. Carmichael.
- T. Digges to John Adams. ( Extract. )
- To the President of Congress.
- William Carmichael to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- John Jay to John Adams.
- To M. Genet.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams.
- W. Carmichael to John Adams. ( Without Date. )
- T. Digges to John Adams. ( Extract. )
- To M. Genet.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- To M. Genet. 1
- From the Count De Vergennes.
- From the Count De Vergennes.
- To W. Carmichael.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To John Jay.
- To T. Digges. 1
- To John Jay.
- To M. Genet.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- To M. Genet.
- To the Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Arthur Lee.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress
- To Count De Vergennes.
- ( Extract Inclosed ) Richard Cranch to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- ( Extract Inclosed. ) Elbridge Gerry to John Adams.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. 1 )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To Thomas Digges.
- Queries By B. Franklin.
- Answer to the Queries.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Thomas Jefferson.
- To B. Franklin.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- ( Inclosed Extract. ) B. Rush to John Adams.
- William Lee to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- David Hartley to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To William Lee.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To the President of Congress.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- Observations On Mr. Adams’s Letter of 17th July, 1780. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- David Hartley to John Adams.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To John Luzac. 1
- To the President of Congress.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- To David Hartley.
- John Luzac to John Adams.
- To John Luzac.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Van Vollenhoven.
- From M. Van Blomberg.
- From M. Van Blomberg.
- From M. Mylius.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- Twenty-six Letters Upon Interesting Subjects Respecting the Revolution of America, Written In Holland, In the Year Mdcclxxx
- To Mr. Calkoen.
- M. Bicker to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To Thomas Digges.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- To B. Franklin.
- To the President of Congress.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Van Blomberg.
- From M. Van Blomberg.
- To M. Bicker.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- From M. Bicker. ( Translation. )
- To M. Bowens.
- ( Memorandum On the Foregoing Letter. )
- To M. Dumas.
- To M. Bicker.
- From M. Bicker. ( Translation. )
- To Commodore Gillon.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- To M. John Luzac.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- To B. Franklin.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- 1 Jan. 1781: The President of Congress to John Adams.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- To M. Dumas.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- To Messrs. John De Neufville and Sons.
- To M. Dumas.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To M. Bicker.
- M. Bicker to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To M. Bicker.
- To M. Dumas.
- To M. Dumas.
- A Memorial to the States-general. to Their High Mightinesses, the States-general of the United Provinces of the Low Countries.
- To the Prince De Galitzin, Minister of the Empress of Russia.
- To M. Van Berckel, First Counsellor Pensionary of the City of Amsterdam.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon, Ambassador of France At the Hague.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Messrs. John De Neufville and Sons.
- To Francis Dana.
- The Duke De La Vauguyon to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Dumas.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Messrs. John De Neufville and Sons.
- To John Jay.
- To the President of Congress.
- To B. Franklin.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon.
- To B. Franklin.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- To Francis Dana.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Peter Van Bleiswyck.
- To M. Fagel.
- Memorial to Their High Mightinesses, the States-general of the United Provinces of the Low Countries.
- Memorial to the Prince of Orange.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To the Duke De La Vauguyon.
- To the President of Congress.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- To the President of Congress.
- To John Laurens.
- To the Duke De La Vauguyon.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To M. Dumas.
- To the President of the Assembly of the States-general.
- M. BÉrenger to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. BÉrenger.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes. 1
- M. De Rayneval to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To M. De Rayneval.
- To the President of Congress.
- Articles to Serve As a Basis to the Negotiation For the Reëstablishment of Peace. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Answer of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, to the Articles to Serve As a Basis to the Negotiation For the Reëstablishment of Peace.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- (private. Partly In Cipher.)
- To the President of Congress.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- (inclosed In the Preceding.) the President of Congress to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- To B. Franklin.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- To B. Franklin.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- George Washington to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon.
- To John Jay.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To John Jay.
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Dumas.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To John Luzac.
- To Francis Dana.
- John Jay to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the Duke De La Vauguyon.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- 6 Jan, 1782: Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- To the President of Congress.
- To B. Franklin.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- David Hartley to John Adams.
- To B. Franklin.
- To M. De Lafayette.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To John Jay.
- To the Duc De La Vaugyon.
- The Duke De La Vauguyon to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To M. Bergsma.
- To M. De Lafayette.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams. ( Without Date. )
- To M. Dumas.
- To Francis Dana.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To John Luzac.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- T. Digges to John Adams.
- (inclosed In the Preceding.) D. Hartley to John Adams.
- To T. Digges.
- To M. Dubbledemutz.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- Traduction De La Résolution De Leurs Nobles Et Grandes Puissances Les Seigneurs États De Hollande Et De West Frise.
- M. Dumas to John Adams. ( Copie De Ma Lettre à Notre Ami. )
- To Peter Van Bleiswyck.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- T. Digges to John Adams.
- To M. De Lafayette.
- C. De Gyselaer to John Adams.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- To M. Dubbledemutz.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon.
- B. E. Abbema to John Adams.
- To M. Abbema.
- To J. U. Pauli.
- John Luzac to John Adams.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To Secretary Livingston. 1
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To M. Hodshon.
- Proposals For Opening a Loan.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- (the Two Following Letters Explain the Preceding.) Jacob Nolet to John Adams.
- Jacob Nolet to M. Dumas.
- To M. Dumas.
- Verbal Message of C. W. F. Dumas to the City of Schiedam.
- To B. Franklin.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- W. and J. Willink, Nic. and Jac. Van Staphorst, and De La Lande and Fynje to John Adams.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Messrs. W. and J. Willink, N. and J. Van Staphorst, and De La Lande and Fynje.
- Messrs. Willink and Others to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Messrs. W. and J. Willink and Others.
- Messrs. Willink and Others to John Adams.
- To M. De Lafayette.
- To Messrs. Willink and Others.
- To John Hodshon.
- To B. Franklin.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- C. L. Beyma to John Adams.
- E. F. Van Berckel to John Adams. ( Extract. )
- To M. Van Berckel.
- John Jay to John Adams.
- M. Van Berckel to John Adams.
- To M. Van Berckel.
- To John Jay.
- To Messrs. Willink and Others.
- To Mr. Mazzei.
- To John Jay.
- To Henry Laurens.
- To John Jay.
- To Henry Laurens.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- Henry Laurens to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- Robert Morris to John Adams.
- John Jay to John Adams.
- To M. De La Fayette.
- M. Cerisier to John Adams.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- To John Jay.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Francis Dana.
- Francis Dana to John Adams. ( Secret and Confidential. )
- J. G. Holtzhey to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To B. Franklin.
- To Jean George Holtzhey.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Henry Laurens.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Francis Dana.
- Appendix.
- (a. P. 452.)
- Extrait De La Réponse De La Cour De France Aux Propositions Faites Au Sujet Du Rétablissement De La Paix Par Les Cours De Petersbourg Et De Vienne.
- Proposition.
- RÉponse.
- Projet De Réponse Aux Trois Cours Belligérantes.
- RÉponse (mutatis Mutandis).
- Réponse De Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne à La Réplique Des Deux Cours Impériales.
- Extract From the Answer of the Court of France to the Propositions Made On the Subject of the Reëstablishment of Peace By the Courts of Petersburg and of Vienna.
- Proposition.
- Answer.
- Project of an Answer to the Three Belligerent Courts.
- Answer (mutatis Mutandis).
- Answer of His Most Christian Majesty to the Reply of the Two Imperial Courts.
ANSWER TO THE QUERIES.
Paris, 26 June, 1780.
I have read over all the papers in the bundle left with me, numbered to thirty-seven. I have also read the three queries stated to me.
These queries I apprehend can legally be answered only by congress, or a court-martial; and, therefore, it would be improper in me to give any answer to them, because the papers will appear before congress or a court-martial, who can judge of them better than I. They will also hear Captain Landais in his defence, which I cannot do. My opinion, therefore, would have no weight either before the one or the other tribunal; or, supposing it to be admitted to be read, and to have any weight, it ought not to be given, because I cannot be legally either a witness or a judge.
I cannot, however, think that the instructions of the navy board to Captain Landais to obey the orders of the minister plenipotentiary, contain authority to remove him, without his consent, from the command of a ship committed to him by congress, because the navy board themselves had not, as I apprehend, such authority.
Since those instructions were given, as I was informed at Boston, congress has given to the navy board power, upon any misbehavior of an officer, to suspend him, stating to congress at the same time a regular charge against him. But I do not find among these papers such authority given to any body in Europe, nor do I find that any regular charge against Captain Landais has been stated to congress.
There has seldom, if ever, been in France a sufficient number of officers at a time to constitute a court-martial, and our code of admiralty laws is so inadequate to the government of frigates for any length of time in Europe, that it is presumed congress will in future either omit to put frigates under any direction in Europe, or make some additions to the laws of the admiralty adapted to such cases. For there is an end of all order, discipline, and decency, when disputes arise, and there is no tribunal to decide them, and when crimes are committed, or alleged, and there is no authority to try or to punish them.
I have not observed among these papers any clear evidence of Captain Landais’s consent to leave the command of the ship; and, therefore, upon the whole, rather than bring the present dispute about the Alliance to any critical and dangerous decision here, where the law is so much at loose, and there can be no legal tribunal to decide, I should think your Excellency would be most likely to be justified in pursuing the mildest measures, by transmitting all the papers and evidence to congress, or the navy board, for a trial by a court-martial, and ordering the commanding officer of the Alliance, with the stores and convoy, as soon as possible to America.
I give this opinion to your Excellency, to make what use of it you think proper.
John Adams.
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