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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.

Dear Sir,

Yesterday I had my audience of leave of his Majesty. I shall not trouble you with any particulars of the previous steps to obtain this audience (which you know are always troublesome enough), nor with any detail of the conversation, farther than the public is immediately interested in it. The substance of my address to his Majesty was no more than a renewal of assurances, in behalf of the United States, of their friendly dispositions, and of their continued desire to cultivate a liberal intercourse of commerce and good offices with his Majesty’s subjects and states, thanks for the protection and civilities of his Court, and good wishes of prosperity to his Majesty, his royal family, his subjects, and dominions.1 The King’s answer to me was in these words. “Mr. Adams, you may, with great truth, assure the United States that, whenever they shall fulfil the treaty on their part, I, on my part, will fulfil it in all its particulars. As to yourself, I am sure I wish you a safe and pleasant voyage, and much comfort with your family and friends.”

This was the answer in ceremony. His Majesty was then pleased to ask me many questions about myself and my family, how long I had been absent from them, &c., which were intended, I suppose, to be very gracious and flattering, but are of no consequence to the public, and, therefore, will be here omitted. It now remains to take leave of the Queen and the Princess, the cabinet ministers, and corps diplomatique, a species of slavery, more of which, I believe, has fallen to my share, than ever happened before to a son of liberty; and I much fear that the omission of a letter of recall, and the offence taken at it in Holland, will oblige me to go over to the Hague to repeat the same tedious ceremonies there. At this season of the year, so near the equinox, to have the passage from Harwich to Helvoet to cross twice, is a punishment for sins to me unknown.

I am extremely afflicted, my dear sir, at the news of your ill health; but I hope you will be soon restored, for the public, at this moment, has great need of your experience and abilities.

With much affection, &c.

John Adams.

[1 ]The following is the address, as found in Mr. Adams’s papers.

Sir,—As the period of my mission to your Majesty is on the point of expiring, I have solicited the honor of this audience, that I might have an opportunity of repeating, in behalf of the United States of America, their assurances of their friendly dispositions, and of their continued desire of a liberal intercourse of commerce and good offices with your Majesty’s subjects and states.

In taking leave of your Majesty, I beg leave to present my most humble thanks to your Majesty for the protection and civilities I have received at your Majesty’s Court; and my best wishes for every blessing to your Majesty, your Majesty’s royal family, subjects, and dominions.