From John Jay to John Adams, March 1783
To John Adams
[March 1783]
Dear Sir
On calling this Moment for my Man Manuel1 to comb me, I am told he is gone to shew my Nephew2 the Fair— I fear they will have so many fine Things & Raree Shows3 to see and admire, that my Head will remain in Statu quo ’till afternoon, & consequently our intended Visit to Ct. Sarsfield4 be postpond. Thus does Tyrant Custom sometimes hold us by a Hair, and thus do ridiculous Fashions make us dependent on Valets, & the Lord knows who— Adieu my Dr. Sir Yours sincerely
J. Jay
ALS, MHi: Adams, undated. Addressed: “His Exy Mr Adams / Hotel du Roy”. Dft, NNC (EJ: 11229). Endorsed by JJ: “Mr. Adams, March 1783”. , 14: 308, publishes this document under the date of [2? March], on the assumption the fair was related to carnival season which would have ended by Ash Wednesday, 5 Mar.
1. Manuel de Egusquisa, whom JJ brought with him from Spain.
2. Peter Jay Munro.
3. A set of pictures or a puppet show, carried in a portable box. OED Online.
4. Guy Claude, comte de Sarsfield (1718–89), pro-American French military officer of Irish ancestry and correspondent of JA. See , 2: 381n.