270131st. (Adams Papers)
Madame de la Fayette sent a Card to offer us places for the Te Deum, which is to be sung tomorrow at Nôtre Dame, when the king is to be present. Mr. Adams dined at Count Sarsfield’s. Not found. A social and intellectual friend of the Americans in Paris, Guy Claude, Comte de Sarsfield , was a French military officer of Irish extraction, who lived in Paris and traveled frequently between the...
2702[April 1785] (Adams Papers)
The Marchioness appointed two o’clock for us to be at her Hôtel. We dined at half after twelve, and were in the Rue de Bourbon at two, but it was too early. Mrs. Rucker, Mr. Jefferson, Coll. Humphreys, Mr. Williamos, Mr. West, went all with us. At about half past three we went from the Marquis’s hôtel and by the time we got to the Pont Royal, both sides of the quay were so amazingly crowded...
2703Friday April 1st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
The Marchioness appointed two o’clock for us to be at her Hôtel. We dined at half after twelve, and were in the Rue de Bourbon at two, but it was too early. Mrs. Rucker, Mr. Jefferson, Coll. Humphreys, Mr. Williamos, Mr. West, went all with us. At about half past three we went from the Marquis’s hôtel and by the time we got to the Pont Royal, both sides of the quay were so amazingly crowded...
27043d. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. and Miss Adams, went into Paris in the evening: and went with young Mr. Franklin and Mrs. Hewson to the Concert Spiritual. Mary (Polly) Hewson , daughter of Benjamin Franklin’s London landlady, Margaret Stevenson. In 1770 she married Dr. William Hewson, who became a respected London physician and anatomist, but he wounded himself during a dissection in 1774 and subsequently died. Shortly...
27054th. (Adams Papers)
All the family dined with the Marquis de la Fayette, who entertains all the Americans every Monday. There were however very few there this Day. Le Chevalier de la Touche, General Armand, and some other french gentlemen dined there. Mr. Williamos promised to get me a ticket for the Session of the Academie des Sciences on Wednesday. Louis René Madeleine Le Vassor, Comte de La Touche-Tréville,...
27066th. (Adams Papers)
Went and dined in Paris with Mr. Jefferson. Immediately after dinner Coll. Humphreys, Mr. Williamos and myself went to the Louvre, where the Academy were setting, but we were so late that we could not get places, to sit, and the Room was much crowded. Several memoirs were read, but all in such technical expressions that I could not understand much of them. There was also read an éloge of some...
27077th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Hewson, and her children Mr. Franklin, Mr. Ruston, Mrs. Barclay, and Mr. West dined with us. Mrs. Hewson, goes next week for England. Dr. Thomas Ruston , who practiced medicine in London and Exeter and wrote numerous essays on American finance. He was briefly visiting Jefferson and Franklin in Paris before his permanent return to Philadelphia later in the year (James McLachlan,...
27089th. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon went into Paris. Carried 21. Louis d’ors to Mrs. Barclay. Got of Froullé an Eutropius, and a Historiae Augustae Scriptores; called at Mr. West’s lodgings but he was not at home. Walked half an hour in the Palais Royal. Not much Company. Met Captn. Paul Jones, and Mr. Starke , who offered to take any thing for the Hague. He goes on Monday. Went to Mr. Jefferson’s and spent the...
270910th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jefferson came out to Auteuil in the morning. Count Sarsfield walk’d out. Fine weather though somewhat cold. Some rain too is wanted very much, there has been none these four months, and very little Snow.
271011th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Adams at the Marquis de la Fayette’s. There was not much American Company: M: le Marquis de St. Simon, who has served in America. Mr. Grandchamp, Capitaine de Vaisseau, and M: le Marquis de Rosanbot premier president au Parlement de Paris. Mr. Ruston was there. This is the first comfortable day we have had this Season: the roads are exceedingly dusty for want of Rain. Madam...
271112th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williamos came out in the morning, and went with Mr. A, to Versailles. Good weather: very mild; but rain is much wanted.
271214th. (Adams Papers)
Marquis de la Fayette and his Lady, Count and Countess d’Ouradou the Abbés de Chalût and Arnoux dined with us. M: d’Ouradou, is a french nobleman, of Auvergne who possessed a very considerable estate, but has lately been almost ruined, by the loss of a lawsuit, which after he had gained twice, was finally, unjustly decided against him: Moliere says somewhere, with great truth: nothing is so...
271315th. (Adams Papers)
Went to Paris in the morning with Mr. A. At the Pont Royal, I got out of the Carriage, and went to see my friend Mr. West. He has been ever since Tuesday, afflicted, with an inflammatory Rheumatism: what makes it insupportable, is that he has it in his right hand, which is very much swelled: and though he is here upon business, and has received several letters of consequence, which require...
271416th. (Adams Papers)
Went with Mrs. A into Paris in the afternoon. Got a book of Pissot, and Brindley’s Terence, la folle journée , and Vossius de hist. grae: of Froullé. Left the Ladies, on the quai des Augustins, and went to see Mr. West, whose hand is still very much swelled. The Ladies came, in the evening, and took me at the Hôtel de Bretagne. Pissot, a publishing firm in Paris. The book has not been...
271518th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. D’Asp, the secretary of the Swedish Ambassy, came out and dined with us en famille. After dinner I went into Paris. Mr. West is still very ill: his hand is swolen amazingly: his spirits were very low when I went there: but before I came away he began to be quite sociable. He spoke of Mr. B——g——m; who with his Lady left Paris, Sunday the 10th. instn. Mr. W: seems to have of Mr. B. very...
271619th. (Adams Papers)
Went all to dine with Mr. Jefferson. The two abbés Dr. McMahon and Dr. Ruston, were there. After dinner I walk’d to the Hôtel de Bretagne, and found Mr. West better, though his hand is still very much swelled. Dr. Ruston appears to be a man of learning; very well versed in English reading. Dr. I. MacMahon was apparently an Irish physician living in France whom Franklin met in Paris shortly...
271721st. (Adams Papers)
In the morning Coll. Humphreys, and Mr. Williamos, called upon me, and I went out with them as far as St. Germain en Laye where James the 2d. held his Court after he was driven away from England; and where Mr. Short, has been these 6 weeks learning the french Language. We went through the Bois de Boulogne, and over the Pont de Neuilli. The distance from Paris to St. Germain is about 12 miles....
271822d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A. received in the morning a Card from Dr. Franklin informing him that a person who came in the Packet had called upon him last evening: and told him he had a pacquet for my father addressed at the Hague. My father immediately went to Dr. Franklin’s, and from thence to the Hôtel d’Orleans, where he found two gentlemen who came in the Packet. Mr. Jervais, an American, and Mr. Lefevre, a...
271923d. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon I went into Paris. Saw Mr. West and Dr. Ruston who propose going to England, next week. I afterwards went to see for a Cabriolet; I saw several, but they ask 120 livres for the hire of one, from this place to L’Orient. Spent the evening with Mr. Jefferson, who is a great admirer of Ossian’s poems: which he thinks are indisputably genuine. The Poems of Ossian, Edinburgh, 1762,...
272024th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Lefevre, came out and dined with us. Mr. Jarvis offers me the carriage they came in from L’Orient: but it is at Versailles.
272125th. (Adams Papers)
The Ladies dined with the Marquis de la Fayette. We went there before dinner. Mr. Williamos tells me the Abbé de Mably is dead. He was very old; not less I think, than 78. Yet although it is probable, that had he lived many years longer, I should not have seen him, above once more, still I was much affected at the news, because he was not only a man of great genius, and learning, but was one...
272226th. (Adams Papers)
I went in the morning to the Sweedish Ambassador’s Hôtel to go with Mr. d’Asp, and see the Abbé Grenet, but I was too late and Mr. d’Asp was gone out, I went to see Mr. Jarvis: and afterwards Count d’Ouradou, at the hôtel de Nassau, Ruë de la Harpe. We agreed to go together to l’Orient. Went to see West, but did not find him at home. Walk’d in the Palais Royal, where I met Mr. Williamos; and...
272327th. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon I went into Paris with the Ladies; left them before the Jardin des Tuileries. Walk’d to the Hotel de Bretagne; West was out. Walk’d some time in the Palais Royal; and met Mr. Ruston, and soon after Mr. West. His arm is much better but still swolen.
272428th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. West came out to Auteuil and dined with us. After dinner I went into Paris, with him: we went to meet Dr. Ruston and then proceeded all together to the Italian Comedy, where we saw Theodore , a new Opera Comique, acted for the first time, with l’heureuse Erreur, this evening. Theodore, had not a brilliant success, but a tolerable one. The Subject, is as old, as the Theatre I believe. A Man...
272529th. (Adams Papers)
We expected to have had a large Company to dine with us; but Mr. Hailes brought the excuses of the Duke of Dorset; who was this morning sent for at Versailles; and could not therefore come. M: de Gouvion, has also excused himself, and Coll. Humphreys’s illness prevented him from coming, so that we were reduced to eleven only. Marquis de la Fayette and Lady: Count Sarsfield, M: de la...
272630th. (Adams Papers)
I went into Paris in the morning, and called upon Mr. d’Asp the secretary of the Sweedish Embassy, and we went together, to the Abbé Grenet’s, a professer of the College of St. Jean de Beauvais, who has invented a curious sort of Sphere, with brass circles round it, by which he shows the motion of the Sun, and moon, and by means of which he has made some, astronomical observations, unknown...
2727[May 1785] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jarvis came out and dined with us at Auteuil. In the afternoon, Mr. Jefferson came out; he drank tea with us. No Rain yet: the drought is very great: the verdure is but small, tho’ the trees are covered with Leaves. Mr. A and myself went and dined with the Marquis de la Fayette, Comte and Chevalier de la Luzerne, Comte de la Touche, General du Portail: A Letter was brought after dinner to...
2728Sunday May 1st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jarvis came out and dined with us at Auteuil. In the afternoon, Mr. Jefferson came out; he drank tea with us. No Rain yet: the drought is very great: the verdure is but small, tho’ the trees are covered with Leaves.
27292d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A and myself went and dined with the Marquis de la Fayette, Comte and Chevalier de la Luzerne, Comte de la Touche, General du Portail: A Letter was brought after dinner to my father from Dr. Franklin, informing him that Mr. Randall arrived from New York in the last Packet, and that he has Letters from Mr. Jay for my father. We went immediately to the Hôtel d’Orléans Rue St. Anne, and found...
27303d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A: went to Versailles, it being Ambassador’s Day. As he was passing through an entry at the Count de Vergennes’s, a Servant presented him a small canister, containing perhaps a little more than half a pound of tea, and ask’d him if he did not want some very excellent tea, that had come through Russia, by land from China; my father could not Refuse it, and enquired the price. Un Louis,...
27314th. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon I went into Paris alone: went to the Griffon, Rue de Bussy and bought some Stationary. To the Hôtel de Nassau Rue de la Harpe, to see Mm. la Comtesse d’Ouradou, but she was not within. Bought me a Couple of Trunks. Went to Mr. Jefferson’s: he tells me, that the Count, thinks of not going in the next Packet. I fear Mr. Williamos, after failing me, himself, has been endeavouring...
27325th. (Adams Papers)
All dined at Mr. Jefferson’s, with Marquis and Marquise de la Fayette, Count and Countess d’Ouradou, Chevalier de la Fayette another french gentleman, Mr. Short, who this morning arrived from St. Germains, Mr. Bowdoin from Virginia, Mr. Jarvis, &c. I there learnt that Mr. West and Dr. Ruston, were not gone for England: after dinner I went with Mr. Jarvis, to the Hôtel d’Orleans, Rue St. Anne,...
27336th. (Adams Papers)
After dinner the Ladies went into Paris: I left them at the Place de Louis 15. and went to Mr. West’s lodgings: he had been out to Auteuil in the morning with Mr. Bowdoin, and had promised to meet me in the afternoon at his lodgings, but did not. I walk’d from 5. o’clock till 9 in the Palais Royal. Met M: de Gouvion there, and walk’d with him, about an hour and an half. He was much averse to...
27347th. (Adams Papers)
Went into Paris early in the morning. Called at the Hôtel d’Orleans, Rue St. Anne . Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Warburton, were going for England at Noon. Hotel d’Orleans, Palais Royal : Dr. Ruston found West there, and accompanied him, to the Diligence, Rue Montmartre; at 12 o’clock they all went off. I walk’d with Mr. Jarvis in the Palais Royal, and afterwards went and dined with him, at the hotel...
27358th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Randall, Mr. Short, Mr. Jarvis, Dr. Ruston, Mr. Williamos, and Mr. Bowdoin, dined with us. The drowth continues, and there is as yet no appearance of Rain.
27369th. (Adams Papers)
Walk’d into Paris in the morning, to the Marquis de la Fayette’s; to go with him to Mr. Jefferson’s upon the subject, of the Importation of our whale oil, into this Country. I was told the Marquis was gone out of Town, on horseback. Call’d upon Mr. Williamos and from thence went to Mr. Jefferson’s, where I waited till past noon for the Marquis, but, as he did not come then, I walk’d back again...
273710th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A: went to Versailles, to take leave, of the Court. Mr. Carnes came out. Was all day preparing for my departure, in the evening Mm. de la Fayette, with two of her Children, came out: and Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Randall. Burrill Carnes, a merchant at Nantes, appointed American agent there in 1786 by Thomas Barclay ( Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and...
273811th. (Adams Papers)
This Day, the King made his grand review, on the Plaines de Sablons. Mr. A. and the Ladies dined at the Sweedish Ambassadors; I had so much to do, that I could not. Early in the morning I had a remise, and went first to Dr. Franklin, to take his Commands and ask for a Passport; which I could not get, because, M: de la Motte his secretary, was gone to the Review. Went to Mr. Jefferson’s who was...
2739Thursday May 12th. 1785. (Adams Papers)
At about 9 o’clock the Cabriolet arrived, and the postillion brought me a Letter from the Countess d’Oradour, by which she informs me that the Count cannot go with me, as it is impossible to fix two large trunks upon the Carriage; so that I shall finally be obliged to go down to L’Orient alone, after having been led to expect the Company of three different persons. I suspect that Mr. W. has...
2740May 13th. (Adams Papers)
At four in the morning I left Dreux, and rode, till 9 in the evening without stopping at all: But was then so much fatigued as my Carriage goes very hard, and the roads being very dusty I determined to go no further than Préz en Pail, which is 16 posts from Dreux, the country is mountaneous, and the roads are not so good as might be wish’d. This place is in the Province of Maine which forms...
274114th. (Adams Papers)
At 5 in the morning I was in my Cabriolet, and never stopp’d anywhere untill I arrived at Rennes, which was at 11. at night. By coming through a cross road I shortened the Journey 3 posts; so that I came only 13 ½ or 81. miles. The roads were so bad that I could not ride more speedily. I trembled whenever I saw a town before me: for they are all paved in such a manner, that it seems done on...
274215th. (Adams Papers)
Left the Hotel d’Artois, at about 5 in the morning, and was determined not to stop again before I arrived at L’Orient; for I had no Inclination to lodge in another house like those at Rennes and at Préz-en-Pail. At Josselin a small village, about half way between Rennes and L’Orient I saw a mountabank, curiously dress’d riding about in the Streets on horseback beating a drum, with a number of...
274316th. (Adams Papers)
I went to bed immediately on my arrival; rose at about 10 in the morning, sent a man to find out Mr. Barclay. He return’d and told me he was vis-à-vis la maison de Ville. I went and found him very unwell: he had meant to leave L’Orient four or five days ago; but has been very ill with an humour in his head; but he is now much better, and thinks to set off next Thursday. I found Mr. Champion...
274417th. (Adams Papers)
Immediately after breakfast I went to Mr. Barclay’s. The wind has changed, so that we shall not sail this day. This gives me pleasure, as I expect a number of Letters, by the Post that arrives to morrow morning: I went with Captain Fournier to the Hôtel of Mr. Thevenard the Commandant, but he was not at home. Saw him upon the place of Parade. Dined with Mr. Grub and Mr. Champion at Mr....
274518th. (Adams Papers)
In the morning I went to the Post office, and enquired if there were any Letters for me; there were none. I immediately went to Monsr. Mazois, to whom I supposed my Letters would be addressed, but he had none for me neither. I don’t know how it happens. I can only suppose that they were put in the Post Office, so late that they failed, coming by the Saturday Post; and even if that is the Case,...
274619th. (Adams Papers)
At about 6 o’clock, the Captain of the Packet, and Mr. Salvius, a Sweedish Gentleman, who intends to go with us, called upon me, to go on board and put all our things in order, so as to be ready at an hours warning. We first went and took with us a Dutch Gentleman named Mölich who was to sail in the last Packet, but having been misinform’d by Monsr. le Couteulx, arrived here 6 hours too late,...
274720th. (Adams Papers)
I went down into the Port at about 10 o’clock in the morning. Met Mr. Grub who told me, that Mr. Thevenard, had a packet of Letters for me. I immediately went to his Hôtel, and he gave me the packet: it was from the Marquis de la Fayette and inclosed a number of Letters for America, with a sheet of the Leyden gazette which says that 20,000 Imperial troops have taken possession of Bavaria, in...
2748Saturday May 21st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
At 6 o’clock in the morning a person came from the Captain, to inform me that the wind was fair, and that I must be on board at 9 o’clock. I went to Mr. Mölich’s lodgings. Called at Mr. Barclay’s house and breakfasted with Mr. Champion. Bought four pieces of Nankin at 6. lis: 10 sols: the piece. Saw Mr. Lanchon a merchant of Reputation of this Town. He took charge of my Letter for my Sister....
274922d. (Adams Papers)
When we rose in the morning, we were out of sight, of Land. We have nothing now but the ocean and the sky around us. The weather being very fine none of us was very sick: but almost all the passengers felt such qualms as prevented them from eating any thing all day: myself among the rest.
275025th. (Adams Papers)
We have had fine weather on board ever since we left L’Orient, but have not in general been able to enjoy it on account of sea sickness. We begin now to stand a little firmer upon our legs. The Events that happen on board a Vessel are very seldom interesting, and the life we lead is very lazy and tiresome. Our Company on board is very gay and sociable, but is not in general such as I should...