JOHN ADAMS. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Passy, December 6th, 1778. Sir, I have had the honor to enclose to Congress the speech at the opening of the British Parliament by several opportunities, but as it opens the intention of the enemy, and warns us to be prepared for all the evils, which are in their power to inflict, and not in our power to prevent, I enclose it again in another form. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, JOHN ADAMS. * * * * * TO ROGER SHERMAN. Passy, December 6th, 1778. Dear Sir, From the long series of arduous services in which we have acted together, I have had experience enough of your accurate judgment, in cases of difficulty, to wish very often that I could have the benefit of it here. To me it appears, that there will be no more cordial friendship, nor for many years to come any long peace between Great Britain and America, and therefore the French alliance is and will be an important barrier to us, and ought to be cultivated with perfect faith and much tenderness. But still it is a delicate and dangerous connexion. There is danger to the simplicity of our manners, and to the principles of our constitution, and there may be danger that too much will be demanded of us. There is danger, that the people and their representatives may have too much timidity in their conduct towards this power, and that your ministers here may have too much diffidence of themselves, and too much complaisance for the Court. There is danger, that French councils, and emissaries, and correspondents may have too much influence in our deliberations. I hope that this Court will not interfere, by attaching themselves to persons, parties, or measures in America. It would be ill policy, but no Court is always directed by sound policy, and we cannot be too much upon our guard. Some Americans will naturally endeavor to avail themselves of the aid of the French influence, to raise their reputation, to extend their influence, to strengthen their parties, and in short to promote the purposes of private ambition and interest. But these things must be guarded against. I wish for a letter from you as often as you can, and that you would believe me your friend, JOHN ADAMS. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Passy, December 8th, 1778. Sir, I have the honor to enclose to Congress one other copy of the speech at the opening of Parliament, together with the debates in consequence of it.