Papers of John Adams, volume 21
6 December 1796
I have recd your favour
of the 10. of Nov. and thank you for the quotations from the Posthumous
Works of the late K. of Prussia. The Quotations from Condercet are
Proofs of Insincerity or Inconsistency but the latter may be easily
expected from a Person who writes upon a subject he knows nothing
of.2
I am able unfortunately to give you some Extracts of Letters concerning a Man of more Sense, more Learning better Principles and more benevolent dispositions than Condercet who is now under Difficulties I fear, I mean your Friend Luzac. My Son John Quincy Adams writes to his Mother “our Friend Luzac, who I am sorry to 516 Say is no longer Professor Luzac, is publishing a Collection consisting of the orations which he delivered on entering upon the Functions of his Professorship, and on the Expiration of his Administration as Rector magnificus, or Principal of the University of Leyden together with some curious and Scientific Dissertations. He had dedicated the whole to my Father in an elegant latin Epistle which is to appear at the head of the Work”
My Son Thomas Boylston Adams writes me “At the time
the National Assembly commenced its career, Several new periodical
publications appeared. Two of them were printed in the French Language,
and the Prospectus of each promised that the future Numbers Should
furnish regular details of the Proceedings in the national Council, and
even proclaimed themselves as the occasional vehicles of political
disquisitions, adapted to the temper of the times. Energetic appeals to
Patriotism for Patronage, which almost every number contained, Soon
discovered Symptoms of abortion, and Shortly after, the Undertakers of
these Publications were obliged to declare, in the bitterness and Pangs
of their labour that Such was the dearth of public Spirit, it would not
pay even the expences of the midwife. For your Amusement I send you the
first and last Words of one of these Papers; it commenced under the
auspices of the French Minister here and lived nearly Seven Weeks;
anoth[er] which bore the Title of ’Monteur Batave’ Survived but a short
time longer and it is remarkable that both, just before their death,
Snarled horrible at poor Luzac, because his Paper Still went on in the
old Style. This is a Slight Specimin of the public apathy and
Indifference about political Discussions. An Anecdote which proves
Something more is the Dismission of Mr J.
Luzac from his Professorship in the University and with a Prohibition
Subjoined against his Superintendance of the Leyden Gazette[”]3
Sir I had written the above to you: but was
interrupted and have left the Letter I was copying. I have within a few
days recd your favour of the 4 of March. and
I thank you for your kind Congratulations4
RC (PHi:John Adams’ Letters). Some loss of text due to wear at the edge.
The dating of this letter is based on Van der Kemp’s reply of 30 Dec. 1797 (Adams Papers).
Van der Kemp wrote to JA on 10 Nov. 1796
(Adams Papers) discussing
Frederick II’s political theories, as laid out in his Oeuvres posthumes de Fréderic II, roi de
Prusse, 15 vols., Berlin, 1788.
For the controversy that swept up Jean Luzac and led
to his dismissal from the 517
Leyden University faculty, see
AFC
, 11:351–352, 354,
365.
On 4 March 1797 Van der Kemp wrote to congratulate JA on his election to the presidency (Adams Papers).
10 December 1796
We thank you, sir, for your faithful and detailed exposure of the existing situation of our country; and we sincerely join in sentiments of gratitude to an overruling Providence for the distinguished share of public prosperity and private happiness which the People of the United States so peculiarly enjoy.
We are fully sensible of the advantages that have resulted from the adoption of measures (which you have successfully carried into effect) to preserve peace, cultivate friendship, and promote civilization, amongst the Indian tribes on the western frontiers: feelings of humanity, and the most solid political interests, equally encourage the continuance of this system.
We observe, with pleasure, that the delivery of the military posts, lately occupied by the British forces, within the territory of the United States, was made with cordiality and promptitude, as soon as circumstances would admit; and that the other provisions of our treaties with Great Britain and Spain, that were objects of eventual arrangement, are about being carried into effect, with entire harmony and good faith.
The unfortunate but unavoidable difficulties that opposed a timely compliance with the terms of the Algerine treaty, are much to be lamented; as they may occasion a temporary suspension of the advantages to be derived from a solid peace with that Power, and a perfect security from its predatory warfare; at the same time, the lively impressions that affected the public mind on the redemption of our captive fellow-citizens, afford the most laudable incentive to our exertions to remove the remaining obstacles.
We perfectly coincide with you in opinion, that the importance of our commerce demands a naval force for its protection against foreign insult and depredation, and our solicitude to attain that object will be always proportionate to its magnitude.
The necessity of accelerating the establishment of certain useful manufactures, by the intervention of legislative aid and protection, and the encouragement due to agriculture by the creation of Boards, (composed of intelligent individuals) to patronize this primary 518 pursuit of society, are subjects which will readily engage our most serious attention.
A national university may be converted to the most useful purposes: the science of legislation being so essentially dependent on the endowments of the mind, the public interests must receive effectual aid from the general diffusion of knowledge; and the United States will assume a more dignified station among the nations of the earth, by the successful cultivation of the higher branches of literature.
A military academy may be likewise rendered equally important. To aid and direct the physical force of the nation, by cherishing a military spirit, enforcing a proper sense of discipline, and inculcating a scientific system of tactics, is consonant to the soundest maxims of public policy. Connected with, and supported by, such an establishment, a well regulated militia, constituting the natural defence of the country, would prove the most effectual, as well as economical, preservative of peace.
We cannot but consider, with serious apprehensions, the inadequate compensations of the public officers, especially of those in the more important stations. It is not only a violation of the spirit of a public contract, but is an evil so extensive in its operation, and so destructive of its consequences, that we trust it will receive the most pointed legislative attention.
We sincerely lament, that, whilst the conduct of the United States has been uniformly impressed with the character of equity, moderation, and love of peace, in the maintenance of all their foreign relationships, our trade should be so harassed by the cruisers and agents of the republic of France, throughout the extensive departments of the West Indies.
Whilst we are confident that no cause of complaint exists that could authorize an interruption of our tranquillity, or disengage that republic from the bonds of amity, cemented by the faith of treaties, we cannot but express our deepest regrets that official communications have been made to you, indicating a more serious disturbance of our commerce. Although we cherish the expectation that a sense of justice, and a consideration of our mutual interest, will moderate their councils, we are not unmindful of the situation in which events may place us, nor unprepared to adopt that system of conduct, which, compatible with the dignity of a respectable nation, necessity may compel us to pursue.
We cordially acquiesce in the reflection, that the United States, under the operation of the Federal Government, have experienced a 519 most rapid aggrandizement and prosperity, as well political as commercial.
Whilst contemplating the causes that produce this auspicious result, we must acknowledge the excellence of the constitutional system, and the wisdom of the legislative provisions; but we should be deficient in gratitude and justice, did we not attribute a great portion of these advantages to the virtue, firmness, and talents, of your administration; which have been conspicuously displayed in the most trying times, and on the most critical occasions. It is, therefore, with the sincerest regret that we now receive an official notification of your intentions to retire from the public employments of your country.
When we review the various scenes of your public life, so long and so successfully devoted to the most arduous services, civil and military, as well during the struggles of the American Revolution, as the convulsive periods of a recent date, we cannot look forward to your retirement without our warmest affections and most anxious regards accompanying you, and without mingling with our fellow-citizens at large in the sincerest wishes for your personal happiness that sensibility and attachment can express.
The most effectual consolation that can offer for the loss we are about to sustain, arises from the animating reflection that the influence of your example will extend to your successors, and the United States thus continue to enjoy an able, upright, and energetic administration.
Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.
MS not found. Printed from
Amer.
State Papers
, Foreign
Relations, 1:32–33.
The dating of this letter is based on the Senate’s
approval of this draft (U.S.
Senate, Jour.
, 4th Cong., 2d
sess., p. 300).