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

H. FAGEL TO JOHN ADAMS. ( Translation. ) - 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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H. FAGEL TO JOHN ADAMS.

(Translation.)

The Hague, 12 February, 1788.

Sir,—

I have this day been honored with your letter, dated London, 25th January, of the present year, accompanied with a memorial to their High Mightinesses, and another to his Highness, with a request to deliver the same. I have ever experienced so many proofs of your friendship and good will, that I should have accounted it an honor and pleasure immediately to have complied with your wishes, although I rather wished that you had not taken leave, and always entertained hopes to have seen you here once more. Permit me, however, to inform you that, when I communicated your letter, addressed to their High Mightinesses, to the President and other members, they did not put any unfavorable construction upon the memorial of taking leave, which, in every respect, was found obliging and satisfactory, excepting that no letter of recall from congress to their High Mightinesses accompanied the same, which is customary; for, as a minister is credited by a letter of eredence (such an one as was received by their High Mightinesses on the 22d April, 1782, dated the 1st January, 1781), so, in like manner, a minister is recalled by a letter of recall, upon which a letter of recredence is returned. Perhaps this may have been occasioned by an omission of the secretary of congress, and this prevents my making use of your memorial, which ought to be delivered with a letter of recall from congress; and your Excellency will, I trust, not be displeased, that I find myself obliged to return to you the letter and memorial.

Your Excellency’s affairs not permitting you to come and take a personal leave, it will be satisfactory that a letter of recall from congress be transmitted with your memorial.

It will ever give me pleasure to learn of your welfare, and those connected with you; and to find opportunities of giving you proofs of the particular regard, with which I have the honor to be, &c.

H. Fagel.

P. S. His Highness being in the same predicament with their High Mightinesses, nothing can be done but to wait for a letter of recall from congress.