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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO M. DE RAYNEVAL. - 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.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO M. DE RAYNEVAL.

Sir,

I have this moment the honor of your billet of this day’s date, and will do myself the honor to wait on his Excellency the Count de Vergennes at his office, on Wednesday next, at nine o’clock in the morning, according to his desire.

I have the honor to be, &c.

John Adams.

Accordingly, on Wednesday, I went to Versailles, and met the Count at his office, with M. de Rayneval, at nine o’clock, who communicated to me the following articles proposed by the two Imperial Courts;1 that Spain had prepared her answers; that of France was nearly ready; did not know that England had yet answered.

[1 ]These articles were given me in French, and they graciously condescended to let me see the original communication from the two Imperial Courts as far and no farther than these three articles extended. All the rest was carefully covered up with a book. I desired to see and have a copy of the whole; but no, that could not be permitted.

I returned to Paris, where I was alone. Congress had taken from me my bosom friend and fellow sufferer,—in whose society I always found satisfaction, and in whose enlightened counsels, ample assistance and confidence,—Mr. Dana, and sent him on a mission to Russia. My private secretary, Mr. Thaxter, I was obliged to leave in charge of my family and affairs in Holland. I had, therefore, every thing to write, translate, and copy with my own hand.

Letters to the Boston Patriot, 1809.