Thomas Jefferson Papers
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From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 2 August 1788

To John Adams

Paris Aug. 2. 1788.

Dear Sir

I have received with a great deal of pleasure the account of your safe arrival and joyful reception at Boston. Mr. Cutting was so kind as to send me a copy of the address of the assembly to you and your answer, which with the other circumstances I have sent to have published in the gazette of Leyden, and in a gazette here. It will serve to shew the people of Europe that those of America are content with their servants, and particularly content with you.

The war with the Turks, Russians, and Austrians goes on. A great victory obtained on the black sea over the Turks as commanded by the Captain Pacha, by the Russians commanded by Admiral Paul Jones will serve to raise the spirits of the two empires. He burnt six ships, among which was the admiral’s and vice admiral’s, took two, and made between three and four thousand prisoners. The Swedes having hastily armed a fleet of about 16. sail of the line, and marched an army into Finland, the king at the head of it, made us believe they were going to attack the Russians. But when their fleet met with three Russian ships of 100 guns each they saluted and passed them. It is pretty well understood that the expences of this armament are paid by the Turks through the negociations of England. And it would seem as if the king had hired himself to strut only, but not to fight, expecting probably that the former would suffice to divert the Russians from sending their fleet round to the Mediterranean. There are some late symptoms which would indicate that Denmark would still be opposed to Sweden though she should shift herself into the opposite scale. The alliance between England, Holland and Prussia is now settled. In the mean time this country is losing all it’s allies one by one, without assuring to herself new ones. Prussia, Holland, Turkey, Sweden are pretty certainly got or getting into the English interest, and the alliance of France with the two empires is not yet secured. I am in hopes her internal affairs will be arranged without blood. None has been shed as yet. The nation presses on sufficiently upon the government to force reformations, without forcing them to draw the sword. If they can keep the opposition always exactly at this point, all will end well. Peace or war, they cannot fail now to have the States general, and I think in the course of the following year. They have already obtained the Provincial assemblies as you know, the king has solemnly confessed he cannot lay a new tax without the consent of the States general, and when these assemble they will try to have themselves moulded into a periodical assembly, to form a declaration of rights, and a civil list for the government. The Baron de Breteuil has lately retired from the ministry and been succeeded by M. de Villedeuil. Monsieur de Malesherbes will probably retire. The Marquis de la Fayette with several others have lately received a fillup for having assembled to sign a memorial to the king which had been sent up from Brittany. They took from the Marquis a particular command which he was to have ex[ercised du]ring the months of August and September this year [in the] South of France. Your friends the Abbés are well and always enquire after you. I shall be happy to hear from you from time to time, to learn state news and state politics, for which I will give you in return those of this quarter of the earth. I hope Mrs. Adams is well; I am sure she is happier in her own country than any other. Assure her of my constant friendship and accept assurances of the same from Dear Sir Your most obedt. & most humble servt.

Th: Jefferson

P.S. Make freely any use of me here which may be convenient either for yourself or Mrs. Adams.

P.S. Aug. 6.  Later accounts inform us there have been two actions between the Russians and Turks. The first was of the gallies &c. on both sides. In this P. Jones, being accidentally present, commanded the right wing. The Russians repulsed the Turks. The second action was of the Russian gallies against the Turkish ships of war. The effect was what is stated in the preceding letter. But the command was solely in the prince of Nassau, P. Jones with his fleet of ships of war being absent. Prince Potemkin immediately got under march for Oczakow, to take advantage of the consternation it was thrown into. The Swedes have commenced hostilities against the Russians, and war against them is consequently declared by the empress.

RC (MHi: AMT); endorsed; MS slightly mutilated, and a few obliterated words (in brackets) supplied from PrC (DLC). For an account of Adams’ reception as published in the Gazette de Leide, see note to TJ to Dumas, 30 July 1788.

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