Adams, John (1735-1826) to James Monroe re: thanks for news of John Q. Adams diplomatic service
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01481 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Quincy Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 April 1813 Pagination: 1 p. + FF + addr. 25 x 22 cm Order a Copy
Written in his neatest hand. Adams thanks Secretary of State Monroe for a favorable report concerning his son's diplomatic service, at St. Petersburg, and alluding to the appointment of his son to peace commissioner. John Quincy had been appointed peace commissioner on 17 April, with Russia as mediator between the U.S. and Britain, but the attempt proved abortive. However, young Adams remained and was eventually part of the peace commission the negotiated at Ghent. John Adams seems to be recalling his own diplomatic service during the Revolution as a peace commissioner and how it caused troubles for him (reference to "scabreux" or risque).
Quincy April 20. 1813
Dear Sir
Your favour of the 10th. of this month has laid me under very great obligations to you. No intelligence could be more agreable to me, than the information, that the conduct of my Son has the entire approbation of The President. As a public Man I have no views for him, but to such Services as The President Shall assign him. As a private person, though his absence and the loss of his Society is to me a severe privation, I Should reproach myself, if I should make any objection to his engaging in those momentous Services to his Country which you present to my view, however hazardous they may be to his reputation
You and I know, that a certain Mission is to an American, the most "Scabreux" in the whole Diplomatic Circle: I should never the less prefer to have [inserted: him] a thousand miles nearer than at so great a distance.
Though I dare not flatter myself, with any very Sanguine hopes of so great a Felicity as to live to See a Peace, I wish you Ambassadors a prosperous Voyage, and Sincerely pray for their compleat Success.
I Submit my Son, and all his Connections to the goodness of Providence and the Presidents Wisdom.
With great Esteem I have the honour to be
Sir your obedient Servant
John Adams
Secretary Monroe
[docket]
Quincy Ms-
April 21t.
[free frank]
free
[address leaf]
The Honourable
James Monroe Esquire
J. Adams
secretary for the Department
of State
Washington
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