To John Jay from John Quincy Adams, 21 November 1794
From John Quincy Adams
Amsterdam November 21. 1794.
Dear Sir
The enclosed Letter, accompanied a packet which I intended to have sent by Mr: Vall-travers; but having since immediate opportunities to America from hence I shall not trouble you with my dispatches at present.1
It is here said that on the meeting of Parliament the King of Great Britain is to mention in the speech from the throne the signature of a Convention for the settlement of the differences with America. This intelligence is extremely grateful to the merchants engaged in the American Commerce here, who are anxiously solicitous for the event of your negotiation, and whose curiosity is proportionable to their anxiety.2
A peace to their own Country is equally an object of speculation among them: in a political view they are in great need of it, but it comes quite as near their hearts as merchants. I believe however they say Peace, when there is no Peace nor any likelihood for it. So peculiarly unhappy and perilous is the condition of the Country, between the power of France and Britain, that either is competent to destroy, and neither to protect it.
Passive obedience now characterizes the people of this city. The leaders of the popular commotion which was So immediately crushed, are partly fled, and the rest have been sentenced to six years confinement in the work house, (a punishment usually reserved for the vilest malefactors,) and perpetual banishment afterwards. The remonstrants have surrendered their arms at command, and the measure is universally censured as rash and premature, by the people who must cordially wish it had been successful.
The 50 guineas for which you were so obliging as to give me an order, upon Messrs Cazenove, our bankers here have agreed to charge to my account. It will therefore be no further troublesome to you. Please to accept the renewal of my thanks for the supply.3
I write by the Post, and can therefore have no dependence upon the security of a seal; for which reasons I can only repeat the assurances of the most respectful attachment, with which I have the honour to be, Dear Sir, your very humble & obedient Servant,
John Q. Adams
His Excellency John Jay
ALS, NNC (EJ: 09688). Endorsed.
1. For Vall-travers, see JQA to JJ, 14 Nov. 1794, above.
2. George III announced the treaty in his speech on the opening of Parliament, 30 Dec. 1794. “I am happy to inform you, that I have concluded a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, with the United States of America, in which it has been my object to remove, as far as possible, all grounds of jealousy and misunderstanding, and to improve an intercourse beneficial to both countries.” , 31: 960–61.
3. In London, JQA found himself “rather short in the necessary article of cash,” as funds had not arrived from the American bankers in Amsterdam. JJ was able to lend him 50 guineas. See JJ to ER, 5 Mar. 1795, LS, DNA: Jay Despatches, 1794–95 (EJ: 04293); JJ Account as Envoy Extraordinary to Great Britain, 26 Nov. 1795, NNC (EJ: 09227); JQA Diaries, 28 Oct. 1794, vol. 21, MHi: Adams; , http://www.masshist.org/jqadiaries/php/doc?id=jqad21_53 (accessed Aug. 2019); and the editorial note “John Jay’s Mission to London,” above.