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

TO J. MARSHALL, SECRETARY OF STATE. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

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. 9.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO J. MARSHALL, SECRETARY OF STATE.

Quincy, 27 September, 1800.

Dear Sir,—

I received yesterday the inclosed letter, sent up from Boston, with several others, and large packets which appear to be only newspapers. This is a duplicate of No. 244, from Mr. Humphreys at Madrid, dated 29th July and August 1st. Talleyrand’s reply to the French minister says: “In the present state of the negotiation between the United States and France, you may inform Mr. Humphreys that he shall not long have occasion to complain of any more robberies (brigandages) committed under the name of privateering.” This sentiment favors your idea in your letter of the 17th, that “the present French government is much inclined to correct, at least in part, the follies of the past.”1 Inclosed is a private letter to me from Mr. King of 28th July, which may reflect some light upon the disposition of the French government about that time. They might be courting or flattering the northern powers into an armed neutrality. The envoys, when they come, will, I hope, be able to clear away all doubts, and show us plainly both our duty and our interest. I return you the three parchments signed as commissions for Clark, Vanderburg, and Griffin, to be judges in the Indiana territory. I wish you a pleasant tour to Richmond, but I pray you to give such orders that, if despatches should arrive from our envoys, they may be kept as secret as the grave till the Senate meets. On Monday, the 13th October, I shall set off from this place. Letters should not be sent to me, to reach this place or Boston after that day. I pray you to turn your reflections to the subject of communications to be made to Congress by the President, at the opening of the session, and give me your sentiments as soon as possible in writing. The Constitution requires that he should give both information and counsel.

I am, Sir, with a sincere attachment,

John Adams.

[1 ]Mr. Marshall had written as follows:—

“It is certainly wise to contemplate the event of our envoys returning without a treaty, but it will very much depend on the intelligence and assurances they may bring, what course sound policy will direct the United States to pursue. I am greatly disposed to think that the present government is much inclined to correct, at least in part, the follies of the past. Of these, perhaps, none were more conspicuous, or more injurious to the French nation, than their haughty and hostile conduct to neutrals. Considerable retrograde steps in this respect have already been taken, and I expect the same course will be continued. Should this expectation not be disappointed, there will be security, at least a reasonable prospect of it, for the future, and there will exist no cause of war, but to obtain compensation for past injuries. This, I am persuaded, will not be deemed a sufficient motive for such a measure.”

Mr. Wolcott, at this time, was very differently engaged. Gibbs’s Memoirs of the Federal Administrations, vol. ii. p. 430. Hamilton’s Works, vol. vi. p. 471.