Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow T. JEFFERSON TO JOHN ADAMS. - The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799)

Return to Title Page for The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799)

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

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

T. JEFFERSON TO JOHN ADAMS. - 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.


T. JEFFERSON TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, 6 February, 1787.

Dear Sir,—

Your favors by Colonel Franks have come safely to hand. He will set out from hence the 8th instant, the packet being to sail from Havre the 10th. I inclose you the copy of a letter from Mr. Barclay, and of the paper it inclosed. In a letter from Mr. Carmichael is a postscript, dated 25th December, in the following words:—“Since writing the preceding, the Portuguese ambassador has pressed me to hint that the present moment is favorable to push our treaty with his Court.” In the body of the letter he says, “The Comte d’Expilly has promised me to continue his attention to our prisoners during his stay at Algiers, and I have also engaged the Consul of Spain, who remains there on his return, to take care of them. Advances have been made for their support, which ought to be refunded.” I suppose that these advances have been made by order of Mr. Lamb, and that, his powers being at an end, it will be incumbent on us to take measures on that subject. The Comte de Vergennes is extremely ill; his disease is gouty; we have for some days had hopes it would fix itself decidedly in the foot. It shows itself there at times, as also in the shoulder, the stomach, &c. M. de Calonne is likewise ill; but his complaints are of a rheumatic kind, which he has often had before. The illness of these two ministers has occasioned the postponement of the assembly of the notables to the 14th, and probably will yet postpone it. Nothing is yet known of the objects of that meeting. I send you a pamphlet, giving a summary account of all the meetings of a general nature which have taken place heretofore. The treaty between Russia and this country is certainly concluded; but its contents are not yet known.

I shall set out for the waters of Aix on the 15th instant, so that I am unable to say when and whence I shall have the honor of addressing you again; but I take measures for the conveying to me on my road all letters, so that, should any thing extraordinary require it, I can at all times be recalled to Paris in a fortnight. I shall hope to hear from you at times, as if I were in Paris. I thank you much for the valuable present of your book.1 The subject of it is interesting, and I am sure it is well treated. I shall take it on my journey, that I may have time to study it. You told me once you had had thoughts of writing on the subject of hereditary aristocracy. I wish you would carry it into execution. It would make a proper sequel to the present work. I wish you all possible happiness; and have the honor to be, &c.

Thomas Jefferson.

[1 ]The first volume of the Defence of the American Constitutions, then just published.