Papers of John Adams, volume 21
I feel myself much gratified, and highly honoured, by the sympathy which you express with me on account of my sufferings in the riot at Birmingham. The same malignant spirit, fostered by our governors, is much more prevalent now than it was then, and shews itself in almost every part of the kingdom, so that I begin to fear the most serious evils from it. Nothing has yet been done towards our indemnification, tho a year and half are now almost elapsed since the event, and it is said that the officers dare not collect the little that was awarded us.
Many Dissenters wish to leave a country in which they find neither protection nor redress; but they are at a loss where to go, and how to proceed. Yesterday I received a letter from a great number of Dissenters in the neighbourhood of Manchester to Mr Vaughan, desiring his advice in the business, and yours would be considered as a very great favour. France being in an unsettled state, I think it very probable that some of my sons will be disposed to go to America; and if so, I shall follow them in due time.1
A war with France is much talked of, but I cannot think that our court, tho ever so willing, will risk such a measure. That must soon bring our affairs to a crisis.
A thank you for your very acceptable present of your three volumes, two of which were destroyed in the riot. It is a work of great value, tho I cannot say but I now think more favourably of a pure republic than I have done. A comparison between the American and French governments some years hence will enable us to form a better judgment than we can at present.
We must not expect that Ambition or Avarice will ever cease to influence mankind, but certainly there are fewer objects of those passions with you than with us, and therefore they cannot produce so much mischief. But in deed I am no politician, and I would gladly confine myself to my theological and philosophical pursuits, if I might be permitted to do.
With the greatest gratitude, / and respect, I am, / Dear Sir, / yours sincerely
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “John Adams Esq / Vice President /
Philadelphia / Via / New York”; endorsed: “Dr Priestley. Dec. 20 / 1792 / ansd. Feb. 27. 1793.”
The worsening stress of government pressure and
mounting treason arrests led many British dissenters to seek asylum in
France and the United States between 1792 and 1794. Priestley’s eldest
and youngest sons, Joseph (1768–1833) and Henry (d. 1795), immigrated in
Aug. 1793, scouting land near Northumberland, Penn., for the entire
family’s eventual relocation. By 28 July 1792, the senior Priestley’s
appearance on a British government list of “Disaffected and seditious
Persons” accelerated his plans to leave. He departed England on 8 April
1794 via the Sansom and reached New York on
4 June. He settled in Northumberland and turned to establishing a school
(Schofield, Enlightenment of Joseph
Priestley
, p. 321–324, 329, 330;
AFC
, 9:493).
r22
d1792
The exertions of disappointment & of antifederalism have had little effect I congratulate you My dear sir most sincerely on the happy event—1
When you left us no arrangment was made for the return of
the few dollars you received of me— As I do not know what would be most
convenient for you whether to forward the money or for me to draw on you I
take the liberty to say now that when ever it shall be quite convenient for
you, you may place the money in the hands of Mesrs: Leroy & Bayard Merchants Philadelphia2 or if any time hence you could
more conveniently lodge it here it will be equally well for me
With the most perfect esteem / I have the honour of being / your friend & servant
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Hon / Vice President U.S / America.”
JA did not read the presidential
electors’ votes in the Senate until 13 Feb. 1793, for which see his 18 Feb. letter to
Jeremy Belknap, and note 1, below. But by 19 Dec. 1792,
JA felt the political winds were in his favor. As he
wrote to AA: “I own I can See no Tryumph in obtaining more
Votes than Mr Clinton: if the Services of J.A. can be compared to those
of G. C. if the Sacrifices, if the Sufferings, if the Talents if the
Experience, if the Knowledge of one can be brought down to a Comparison
with the other, it is high time to quit Such a service” (
AFC
, 9:351–352, 361, 510).
New York City merchants Herman Le Roy and William
Bayard operated the firm of Le Roy & Bayard, which maintained a
branch office in Philadelphia (Hamilton, Papers
, 9:32).