The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 07
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 07
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
Paris, September 10th, 1783.
Sir,
As I am to remain in Europe for some time longer, I beg leave to take
a cursory view of what appears necessary or expedient to be further
done in Europe; for I conceive it to be not only the right but the
duty of a Foreign Minister, to advise his Sovereign, according to his
lights and judgments, although the more extensive information and
superior wisdom of the Sovereign, may frequently see cause to pursue a
different conduct.
With Spain no doubt Congress will negotiate by a particular Minister,
either the present one or another, and perhaps it would be proper that
the same should treat with Naples. With the two Empires, Prussia,
Denmark, Portugal, Sardinia and Tuscany, I humbly conceive, it might
be proper to negotiate, and perhaps with Hamburg; but there are other
powers with whom it is more necessary to have treaties than it ought
to be, I mean Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli.
I presume that Congress will not think it expedient to be at the
expense of sending Ministers to all these powers, if to any. Perhaps
in the present state of our finances it may not be worth while to send
any. Yet the present time is the best to negotiate with all. I submit
it to consideration then, whether it is not advisable to send a
commission to such Minister as you judge proper, with full powers to
treat with all, to the Ministers now in Paris, or to any others. But I
humbly conceive, that if powers to treat with all or any of these
States are sent to any of your Ministers now here, it would be for the
public good, that they should be sent to all. If Congress can find
funds to treat with the Barbary Powers, the Ministers here are the
best situated, for they should apply to the Court of Versailles and
their High Mightinesses in the first place, that orders should be sent
to their Consuls according to treaties to assist us. Ministers here
may carry on this negotiation by letters, or may be empowered to send
an agent if necessary. I have no private interest in this business. My
salary will be the same, my expenses more, and labor much increased by
such a measure. But as it is of public importance, I think, that no
unnecessary delicacies should restrain me from suggesting these hints
to Congress. Whatever their determination may be, will be satisfactory
to me.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's,
&c.
JOHN ADAMS.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
JOHN JAY;
MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO THE COURT OF SPAIN, AND ONE OF THE
COMMISSIONERS FOR NEGOTIATING PEACE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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