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

TO SECRETARY JAY. - 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.

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TO SECRETARY JAY.

London, 22 September, 1787.

Dear Sir,—

There was, yesterday, in the river, an impress of seamen, and several American vessels had their men taken from them. An application was made to me, this morning, by a master of a ship from New York, and I instantly wrote the inclosed letter to Lord Carmarthen, and went in person to Whitehall to deliver it. His Lordship read the letter and the representation to me from the captain, and, after some conversation on the subject, assured me that he would take measures to have the men restored, and precautions against such mistakes in future. This opportunity was a favorable one for some communication of sentiments upon the present posture of affairs, and his Lordship was invited to talk upon the subject by several questions which were proposed to him. His Lordship’s answers were civil enough. “He hoped there would not be war; he should be very sorry for a war,” &c. &c. But nothing was to be learned from him, if he knew any thing. One fact, indeed, his Lordship assured me of, namely,—that war is, in truth, declared by the Porte against Russia; that the Count De Montmorin had sent him an extract of a despatch of Monsieur de Choiseul, the French ambassador at Constantinople, containing an account of it; and that the French ministry had done him the justice to believe that the English ambassador and ministry had done nothing to excite this declaration. His Lordship’s last despatches from Constantinople assured him of every appearance of peace; so that the declaration must have been some sudden emotion of the Mufti or Janissaries, &c. It is easy to believe that the English did not excite the Turks to declare, for that step excuses France from any obligation to aid the Porte.

The present conjuncture appears the most critical and important in Europe, of any that has ever happened in our times. Mankind seem impatient under the yoke of servitude that has been imposed upon them, and disposed to compel their governors to make the burden lighter. But the wars that now threaten have no tendency that way, or but a remote one; and what dependence can be placed upon the common people in any part of Europe?

Upon my return home, another American master of a vessel, from Alexandria, in Virginia, came with his complaint that the press-gang had taken all his men. I will demand every man, as fast as I shall be informed of his being pressed; but I am much afraid of pretences, excuses, &c. &c. I expect to hear that one sailor is Irish, another Scotch, and a third English. All in my power, however, shall be done, and you shall be informed of the result.

With great respect, &c.

John Adams.