Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow No. 5.: WILLIAM VANS MURRAY 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

No. 5.: WILLIAM VANS MURRAY 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.


No. 5.

WILLIAM VANS MURRAY TO JOHN ADAMS.

Dear Sir,1

. . . . . . . . .

The inclosed paper was given to me this morning by Mr. Vander Goes, the Minister of foreign affairs. It is authentic, though not authenticated, and proves that the Dutch minister at Paris has acted as I stated lately to the Secretary of State. He made a verbal application to know if his government could not be instrumental in acting as the intermediary between the United States and France, now that all diplomatic communication had ended. In a day or two after, Mr. Talleyrand gave him the inclosed written answer. This proves a solicitude to which the energy of the American government, sustained by union among the people, has given birth. It will be in the power of the government to take a wide survey of the question, and to make a very dignified use of the subject-matter of this paper. The subject-matter has been published in the papers here. This proceeded, I believe, from France.2

I have the honor to be, &c.

W. V. Murray.

[1 ]The first portion of this letter relates to a matter of no public interest.

[2 ]Indorsed on the cover of this letter in the handwriting of Mr. Adams.

“Received from the post Jan. 21, 1799.”

The reason why this date is important may be gathered by comparing the charge of Mr. Pickering, based upon Mr. Adams’s implied approbation of all the sentiments of his report of the 18th of the same month. See Pickering’s Review, p. 136.