John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 16 May 1778

John Thaxter to Abigail Adams

York Town May 16th. 1778

Madam

I do myself the honor to inclose the postscript to Hall & Sellers’s Paper of the 9th instant1 containing the message of the undersigned Ambassador of the Court of France to the Court of London; his Majesty’s Speech in Consequence &c. &c. The message is couched in terms very ludicrous and merry. It also speaks tacitly the Power and determination of France.

It has chagrined the King and Ministry beyond any thing yet transacted by France. They seem determined to resent it if necessary. They have a long time counterfeited ignorance; but this is such a finished stroke, that they may let the Pepper Corn rest for a while, to quarrel with France; if able. The Nation, says Ld. North, was never in a more flourishing condition than at present. His propositions give him the lie. We are told a transition from one extreme to another is not suddenly made. Can it be supposed then that his Lordship was actuated by motives of Humanity in proposing his terms? No. He was apprehensive the Connection subsisting between France and Spain would be “consolidated and establish’d by a Treaty”; as it is. His terms originate from his fears. Granting that the nation is in the Predicament represented by his Lordship; it will follow that American Independence has operated no Injury to England. They may as well therefore treat with us as any other power.

Private.

There is a secret and seperate Act accompanying the treaties, which reserves liberty to the King of Spain to accede to the Treaty and make such alterations as can be agreed between the Ambassadors and the King of Spain, If his Majesty should judge any necessary.2

Private at present.

Congress have resolved to allow the officers of the army half of their present pay for seven years after the close of the war. None can receive it who do not take the Oath of Allegiance.3

I sincerely congratulate you on the retreat of H[ayde]n. I shall view it as a supernatural peice of business.

I return you many thanks for the domestic History you favoured me with. It carried me in Idea to Braintree. You could not have taken a wiser step than you have done with your Farm as Labour is at such an advanced price. Please to remember me to all.

With sentiments of the greatest Esteem I am Madam, your very humble Servant,

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “May 16.” For the enclosure (not found), see note 1.

1. Postcript sheet to the Pennsylvania Gazette of 9 May.

2. For this “Act Separate and Secret, signed at Paris February 6, 1778,” see Miller, ed., Treaties description begins Hunter Miller, ed., Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America, Washington, 1931–1948; 8 vols. description ends , 2:45–47.

3. See the resolves voted on 15 May, JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. description ends , 11:502–503.

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Source Project: Adams Papers
Title: John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 16 May 1778
Author: Thaxter, John
Recipient: Adams, Abigail
Date: 16 May 1778

Reference

Cite as: “John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 16 May 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-03-02-0017. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Adams Family Correspondence, vol. 3, April 1778 – September 1780, ed. L. H. Butterfield and Marc Friedlaender. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1973, pp. 21–22.]

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