Papers of John Adams, volume 20
Before this reaches You I hope You will have authentic accounts of the late revolution in France.
At such a distance from Paris it is difficult to asscertain the
truth of such important transactions as have continually taken place since the 14th of July, at court and in the capital. By Capt Bond of the Washington I inclosed you a parcel of pamphlets
and newspapers which afforded You I hope some satisfaction.
I now add a few more. This City was beautifully illuminated last
night in honor of Mr Neckar’s reinstatement in office.
No new administration is yet formed— The establishment of a national constitution it is thought will precede that measure; meanwhile those ministers who did not manifest their guilt by fear or flight continue to perform the functions of their respective offices.1
I sit off for Paris tomorrow, whence you shall again hear from me
if Mr Jefferson be not sailed.
I take advantage of a ship that sails in a day or two for
Philadelphia2 to transmit this scrawl
to You and am, with much respect and attachment / Your Mo. Obedt: Sert:
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “John Adams Vice President of the United States.”
Despite the popular momentum for political change in the wake of
the 20 June Tennis Court Oath, the National Assembly’s committee to draft a
constitution struggled from 6 July 1789 to 3 Sept. 1791, riven by internal politicking
and complex debates over defining the rights of the citizen in conjunction with the
powers of the king. France’s new constitution was finally adopted on 3 Sept., and
Louis XVI consented to it eleven days later (Bosher, French Rev.
,
p. 133–146).
Cutting likely sent this letter via the Pallas, Capt. Collins, which reached Philadelphia in early Oct. 1789
(Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, 14 Oct.).