1Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
John Adams’ letter of 19 April 1780 to the president of Congress (No. I, below), constitutes his redaction of Thomas Pownall’s pamphlet entitled A Memorial, Most Humbly Addressed to the Sovereigns of Europe, on the Present State of Affairs, Between the Old and New World , London, 1780. In July, Adams used his Letterbook copy to produce a manuscript ( No. II , below) that, considerably revised...
2I. To the President of Congress, No. 49, 19 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Pamphlet has been published, in England, under the Title of “a memorial to the Sovereigns of Europe, on the present State of Affairs, between the old and new World.” It is Said to have been written by Governor Pownal, and, after an Acquaintance with his style, for more than twenty Years, I find So many quaint Words, and unintelligible Expressions, intermixed with so much Knowledge of...
3II. Translation of Thomas Pownall’s Memorial, 8 – 14 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Pamphlet has been published in England, under the Title of “A Memorial to the Sovereigns of Europe, on the present State of Affairs, between the old and new World.” It is said to have been written by Governor Pownal: and there are So many quaint Words, and dark Expressions, intermixed with So many good Thoughts and So much Knowledge of America that it seems worth translating. into common...