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

TO T. JEFFERSON. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

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. 8.

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

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO T. JEFFERSON.

London, 11 September, 1786.

Dear Sir,—

On my return from Holland, on the 6th instant, I found your favors of the 8th and 13th August. On my arrival at the Hague, the exchange of ratifications was made on the 8th August with the Baron de Thulemeier, and I had it printed. It is only in French. Copies shall be sent you as soon as I can find an opportunity. We were present at Utrecht at the august ceremony of swearing in their new magistrates. In no instance of ancient or modern history have the people ever asserted more unequivocally their own inherent and unalienable sovereignty. But whatever pleasure I might have in enlarging upon this subject, I must forbear.

The affair of the oil has taken a turn here. The whalemen, both at Greenland and the southward, have been unsuccessful, and the price of spermaceti oil has risen above £50 per ton. Boylston’s ship arrived with two or three hundred tons, and, finding he could pay the duties and make a profit of twenty-five per cent., he sold his cargo here, instead of going to France, as he intended. This circumstance will oblige the French court, or the French merchants, or both, to take other measures, or they will lose this trade.

The price of oil will rise in Boston so much, that I am afraid Mr. Barrett’s contract must be fulfilled at an immense loss.

As to Mr. Lamb’s settlement, I still think he had better embark forthwith for New York from Spain. If he cannot, he may transmit to you and me his account, and remit to us the balance in favor of the United States.

Mr. Barclay’s proposal of going to Tunis and Tripoli, I suppose appears to you, as it does to me, from what we learned from the ambassador from Tripoli in London, to be unnecessary, at least till we hear further from congress. It seems to me, too, very unlikely that any benefit will be had from the journey to Algiers.

I wish to see the treaty with Morocco, and to know the particulars of that affair first. At present I believe we are taken in, and that we shall be plagued with demands for annual presents. I confess I have no faith in the supposition that Spanish interference has counted for money, or, at least, that it will pass long for it.

If, however, you are clearly in favor of sending Mr. Barclay to Algiers, I will make out a commission, and send it to you for your signature, signed by myself, because I would not set up my own judgment against yours, Mr. Carmichael’s, and Mr. Barclay’s; but I confess at present I cannot see any advantage in it, but, on the contrary, several disadvantages. Mr. Randal is gone to congress, and we may expect further orders ere long.

With great respect, &c.

John Adams.