John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 January 1795
John Adams to Abigail Adams
Philadelphia January 19. 1795
My dearest Friend
On Saturday I Saw our sons Letter to the Secretary of State. Mr Randolph expressed his intire Satisfaction in it. Said “it was a justification of the Propriety of his appointment, a Presage of his future Usefulness: and well digested, well arranged and well connected.” a handsome Compliment.1
In this Letter he says Mr Jay had shewn him the whole Negotiation with Britain— He Speaks very modestly and respectfully. I may not repeat any Thing: but I learn from this Letter that there is not only a Possibility but some Probability that Mr Jay or at least The Result of his Negotiations may be here by the fourth of March. If so I ought to be here too, which will derange my Plan of Spending thanksgiving with you. This will afflect me: but What shall I do?
Charles and I are very happy for the Present but he returns on Thursday. He sends his Love & Duty
Adieu
RC (Adams Papers).
1. In his letter to Edmund Randolph of 22 Oct. 1794, JQA informed the secretary of state of his safe arrival in England and intended departure for The Hague on 29 October. He also provided a thorough review of the political situation in the Netherlands, from the increasing occupation by the French Army to the response of both the Dutch stadholder and the Patriots. JQA further reported that the strength of the French Army might soon force peace with all the nations at war, except Great Britain, and he closed his letter by remarking that the U.S. treaty with Britain was near its conclusion with acceptable, although not entirely satisfactory, terms (Lb/JQA/3, APM Reel 127).