Adams Papers
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John Adams’ Address to George III, [20 February 1788]

John Adams’ Address to George III, King of England

[20 February 1788]

Sir

As the Period of my Mission to your Majesty is on the Point of expiring I have Solicited the Honour of this Audience, that I might have an opportunity of repeating in behalf of the United States of America, their Assurances of their friendly Dispositions and of their continued desire of a liberal Intercourse of Commerce and good offices, with your Majestys Subjects and States.

In taking leave of your Majesty I beg leave to present my most humble Thanks to your Majesty for the Protection and Civilities I have received at your Majestys Court, and my best Wishes for every Blessing to your Majesty, your Majestys Royal Family, Subjects and Dominions.1

Dft (Adams Papers); notation by TBA: “Address on taking leave / of the King of / G.B.”

1JA’s final audience with George III held none of the ceremonial fanfare that had attended their first meeting nearly three years earlier, for which see vol. 17:134–135, 138–139, 142–145. After the weekly diplomatic levee ended at three o’clock in the afternoon on 20 Feb., JA met briefly with the king at St. James’ Palace, and he reported to John Jay the following day, below. The Marquís of Carmarthen introduced JA, who made this short address, and he was ushered out by Sir Clement Cottrell Dormer. Contrary to the more extensive coverage of JA’s arrival at the Court of St. James, the British press made only the barest mention of his leave-taking. Although newspapers continued to advertise the sale of JA’s Defence of the Const. description begins John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, London, 17871788; repr. New York, 1971; 3 vols. description ends over the next few weeks, they ceased taking regular note of JA’s ongoing diplomatic activities in England and Holland. At month’s end, one London newspaper published the following update: “Mr. ADAMS, the American Embassador, on his return home, quits all official situation, and reverts to the practice of the Law” (London World, 21, 29 Feb.).

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