To John Jay from John Quincy Adams, 14 November 1794
From John Quincy Adams
The Hague November 14. 1794.
Dear Sir.
Mr. Vall-travers informs me that he intends going to London, where he purposes paying his respects to you. I have therefore requested him to take charge of a packet for the Secretary of State, which I have taken the Liberty of enclosing to your care, according to the permission, you were pleased to give me on the day of my departure from London. The opportunities of sending to America from England are so much more frequent than from hence, that in all probability this will be the most expeditious conveyance for my Letters at present.1
We had a tolerable passage from London here, which took us only three days. I have been received and acknowledged by the States General, and had this day a gracious Audience of the Stadtholder to whom I delivered my credentials for him.
The french troops in this Quarter continue their career of victory. Every thing here however is yet quiet. The effort at Amsterdam has terminated in disarming the petitioners. Mr. Van Staphorst I hear is at Hamburg.
I am very anxious to receive intelligence from America. There must be I think by this time some arrivals in England. We have none here. Our credit and reputation suffers here as well as in England, from the Western Insurrection. I hope and believe it will eventually be serviceable to both. Participating in the cordial wishes of every friend to our Country, for the successful accomplishment of your mission, I remain with Sentiments of the most respectful Attachment, Dear Sir, your very humble & obedient Servant
John Q. Adams.
His Excellency John Jay,
ALS, UkWC-A (EJ: 00047).
1. Rodolph Vall-travers (1723–c. 1815) was a Swiss-born writer and sometime diplomat. He corresponded with JA, TJ, BF, and GW, and proposed many plans to aid the United States and attempted to involve himself in American business, with little effect. See, for example, Vall-travers to GW, 20 Mar. 1791, , 7: 606–8. On 28 Oct. 1794, he requested that JJ “graciously” honor him “with the Character of your private Secretary, with, or without a Salary; and entitling me thereby to the Protection enjoyed by Individual of the Corps diplomatic” so that he might travel to England and avoid a trap by his late wife’s family. ALS, NNC (EJ: 07214). JJ appears not to have replied directly to Vall-travers, but instead sent his negative response via JQA. See JJ to JQA, 24 Nov. 1794; and JQA to JJ, 21 Nov. 1794, both below.