1793 Letters

Paris, FRA - 1 January 1793

Since that period, this government, perceiving that they had been wholly deceived respecting the British nation, have made advances towards conciliation.

Paris, FRA - 4 January 1793

The Council here talk so highly to Great Britain that you, who know mankind, will conclude them to be afraid ; and this conclusion is not far from the truth.

Paris, FRA - 6 January 1793

Dumouriez has been some days in Paris ; he stays at home under pretence of illness, but in fact to receive and consider the propositions of the different parties.

Philadelphia, PA - 9 January 1793

I have the same aversion to the multiplication of banks, and the same apprehension of their pernicious tendency, as you express. But so many people live upon them that they will have their course.

Paris, FRA - 10 January 1793

Those who planned the revolution, which took place on the tenth of August, sought a person to head the attack, and found a M. Westermann, whose morals were far from exemplary.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 January 1793

It has long since been observed, that, of the three millions of livres given by the court of France to aid us in the commencement of our revolution, one million was unaccounted for by the hands into which it was paid.

Philadelphia, PA - 14 January 1793

I have received all the votes from all the States. It is known that Georgia voted with North Carolina, Virginia and New York ; and Kentucky voted for Jefferson.

Philadelphia, PA - 18 January 1793

By the enclosed to Mr. Gurney, I have requested him to write me a letter respecting the health of the family, and Theo.'s improvement.

Philadelphia, PA - 24 January 1793

I cannot say that my desire of fame increases. It has been strong in some parts of my life, but never so strong as my love of honesty.

Paris, FRA - 25 January 1793

The late King of this country has been publicly executed. He died in a manner becoming his dignity. Mounting the scaffold, he expressed anew his forgiveness of those who persecuted him, and a prayer that his deluded people might be benefitted by his

Philadelphia, PA - 31 January 1793

Mrs. Washington requests me to present to you her very particular regards. Many other ladies do the same.

Philadelphia, PA - 8 February 1793

You may recollect that I left a memorandum of what Theo. was to learn. I hope it has been strictly attended to.

Boston, MA - 10 February 1793

John Quincy Adams letter to father... I cannot employ the leisure time thus thrown on my hands better than in giving you an account of the commercial catastrophe now taking place in this town

Philadelphia, PA - 12 February 1793

I have now to congratulate you on the arrival of your son and daughter and two grandsons, in fine health, at New York. They have done wisely to fly from the evil to come in Europe

Paris, FRA - 13 February 1793

Since my last, I have had every reason to believe, that the execution of the King has produced on foreign nations the effect which I had imagined.

Paris, FRA - 13 February 1793

am to acknowledge yours of the seventh of last November, which I cannot do without expressing my concern at a resolution, which will deprive the United States of an able and faithful servant.

Philadelphia, PA - 14 February 1793

Convulsed as we are, I cannot but believe that there is scarcely a man in the Government, whom party will not, sooner or later, destine for an attack.

Paris, FRA - 14 February 1793

You will find that events have blackened more and more in this country. The present prospects are dreadful.

Philadelphia, PA - 15 February 1793

Boys and girls are generally educated much in the same way till they are eight or nine years of age, and it is admitted that girls make at least equal progress with the boys; generally, indeed, they make better.

Philadelphia, PA - 16 February 1793

You have heard me speak of a Miss Woolstonecraft, who has written something on the French revolution; she has also written a book entitled Vindication of the rights of Woman.

Paris, FRA - 16 February 1793

It has so happened that a very great proportion of the French officers, who served in America, have been either opposed to the revolution at an early day, or felt themselves obliged at a later period to abandon it.

Philadelphia, PA - 18 February 1793

Deliver him the enclosed. I hope it may animate his attention; and tell him, if you think proper, that I shall be much dissatisfied if Theo.'s progress in Latin be not very considerable at my return.

Philadelphia, PA - 20 February 1793

It would indeed have been a pity that such a letter should have been lost. There is something in the style and arrangement of the words which would have done honour to a girl of sixteen.

Philadelphia, PA - 22 February 1793

I do myself the honor of presenting to you some of those views, which the very delicate affair of the removal affords, and the result of a provisional inquiry which I set on foot.

Philadelphia, PA - 23 February 1793

Since we had the pleasure of Col. Taylor's arrival, I have left in his better hands the trust of keeping you supplied with whatever communications might interest or amuse you.

Philadelphia, PA - 24 February 1793

If the whole performance was your own, which I am inclined to hope and believe, it indicates an improvement in style, in knowledge of the French, and in your handwriting.

Philadelphia, PA - 27 February 1793

The fermentation in Europe distresses me, lest it should take a turn which may involve us in many difficulties. Our neutrality will be a very delicate thing to maintain

Paris, FRA - 27 February 1793

On the contrary I have every reason to be convinced, that at all stipulations in the treaty between France and the United States of America will be scrupulously complied with.

Philadelphia, PA - 2 March 1793

I will never travel but by the stage, nor live at the seat of government but at lodgings, while they give me so despicable an allowance. Shiver my jib and start my planks if I do.

Paris, FRA - 2 March 1793

I am informed, in a way that precludes doubt, that the Executive Council here sent out by M. Genet three hundred blank commissions for privateers, to be given clandestinely to such persons as he might find in America inclined to take them.

Paris, FRA - 4 March 1793

As far as I can judge, this nation approaches to the point where the vigor of laws must supply the place of enthusiastic zeal, for this latter begins to abate.

Paris, FRA - 6 March 1793

He had opened a large loan, on his private credit and account, at Antwerp ; but the capitalists having no great confidence in him, it went on slowly ; and to stimulate their zeal, he threatened them with something very like military execution.

Paris, FRA - 7 March 1793

I am convinced that few of my countrymen will be so lost to all moral sense, as to embark in a game so abominable, where the murder of their fellow creatures enters as a leading chance.

Paris, FRA - 8 March 1793

Last evening I was informed that the French army in Flanders has been defeated, but as this is not an official account, I merely mention it as it is, viz. a letter sent express by an individual at Brussels

Paris, FRA - 9 March 1793

The accounts given to the Convention are so lame and blind, that one is obliged to piece them out like a tattered writing, where whole sentences are wanting.

Paris, FRA - 12 March 1793

I am told that the London Gazetteers have killed me, besides burning my house, and other little pleasantries of the same kind. Now as these accounts may be republished, I apprize you thereof, and pray you to vouch, that it was not true at the time of

Paris, FRA - 13 March 1793

In this case a battle must decide the fate of Flanders, and both parties will collect for the purpose all the force they can muster.

Paris, FRA - 24 March 1793

Many complaints have reached me respecting the outrages committed against American vessels, by the French privateers.

Philadelphia, PA - 25 March 1793

And unwise should we be in the extreme, to involve ourselves in the contests of European nations, where our weight could be but small, though the loss to ourselves would be certain.

Paris, FRA - 29 March 1793

Yesterday afternoon I was arrested in the street, and conducted to the Section de la Butte des Moulins, because I had not a Carte de Citoyen.

Paris, FRA - 29 March 1793

I sent a copy of them immediately to the Minister of the Marine, praying him to take the most prompt measures to procure for Captain Todd the satisfaction due to him

New York, NY - 31 March 1793

I have had the pleasure of seeing Senor Ceracchi, and his model of a monument in honour of the revolution. The design appears to me to be a noble one, worthy the attention of the United States

Paris, FRA - 1 April 1793

I send the enclosed formula of the certificates of registry, with which American vessels ought to be furnished. Our government grants these certificates only to those vessels, which belong exclusively to American citizens.

Paris, FRA - 3 April 1793

The domiciliary visits were an equally general measure, from which no house in Paris was exempt. I see with pleasure, that the Commissaries of the Section, who entered your house, withdrew after the explanation you gave them.

Paris, FRA - 4 April 1793

You will perceive, that all my conjectures respecting the army of Dumouriez are more than realized. From the letters of Custine you will perceive that he has been totally defeated, for he found it necessary to fall back about forty miles

Paris, FRA - 5 April 1793

It appears that the army of Dumouriez is attached to him, and will go all the lengths which he desires. What is worse, to that the militia also adhere, so that he has all chances now in his favor

Orange, VA - 12 April 1793

The refusal of Dunlap in the case you mention confirms the idea of a combined influence against the freedom of the press.

Paris, FRA - 19 April 1793

Since mine of the fifth, I learn that the militia have, in general, quitted the standard of Dumouriez, but he has about twelve thousand of the regular troops, and there is reason to believe that others mean to join him.

Orange, VA - 8 May 1793

I anxiously wish that the reception of Genet may testify what I believe to be the real affections of the people. It is the more desirable, as a seasonable plum after the bitter pills which it seems must be administered.

Paris, FRA - 14 May 1793

I have just learned that the National Convention, in its session of the ninth, has authorised French ships of war and privateers to stop, and bring into the ports of the Republic, neutral vessels

Sainport, FRA - 20 May 1793

It is, however, clear that the greater part of those troops, which adhered to Dumouriez, have returned to their country and many to their standards.

Orange, VA - 27 May 1793

I feel for your situation, but you must bear it. Every consideration, private as well as public, requires a further sacrifice of your longings for the repose of Monticello.

Sainport, FRA - 12 June 1793

in the best regulated governments it is difficult to prevent the violation of the rights of neutral powers, and much more so, where, in the tempest of a revolution, government resembles more a weathercock, marking from whence the hurricane comes, tha

Orange, VA - 13 June 1793

I observ. that the newspapers continue to criticise the President's proclamation, and I find that some of the criticisms excite the attention of dispassionate and judicious individuals here.

Orange, VA - 17 June 1793

I fell in two days ago with French Strother, who was returning circuitously from RICHMOND. He had seen W. C. Nicholas on his way, and spoke of him as among the decided friends of the French cause.

Sainport, FRA - 19 June 1793

I have just received the copy of a declaration, made by the captain and crew of the American ship, the Little Cherub, which proves that this ship, having taken on board thirty French passengers, whom the Spanish government had sent away, conducted th

Orange, VA - 19 June 1793

It is mortifying to the real friends of the President that his fame and his influence should have been unnecessarily made to depend in any degree on political events in a foreign quarter of the Globe

Paris, FRA - 21 June 1793

Infinitely pained at the afflicting details contained in that letter, I thought it my duty to communicate it immediately to the Comite de Salut Public, a copy of whose report I send herewith.

Paris, FRA - 25 June 1793

As to your re-acceptance, Sir, you know my sentiments, which, on that, as on some other subjects, are, I think, unchangeable. It will be time enough for you to have a successor, when it shall please God to call you from this world's theatre.

Sainport, FRA - 25 June 1793

I do myself the honor to enclose herein the copy of what I wrote on the nineteenth instant to M. Lebrun, respecting an atrocious violation of our Flag

Sainport, FRA - 27 June 1793

the administration of the Colony of St Domingo had purchased several cargoes, sent to that island by American merchants, that it had seized others, and that in payment of the whole it had given drafts on the representative of the French nation at Phi

Paris, FRA - 27 June 1793

My predecessor has sent me a letter, which you wrote to him on the nineteenth instant, demanding reparation for an outrage committed on board the American ship, Little Cherub.

Sainport, FRA - 28 June 1793

I learn with satisfaction the daily arrival of wheat and flour, sent to you from America, but I feel some uneasiness respecting that which has not yet arrived.

unknown - 29 June 1793

Much will depend on events in Europe; and it is to be regretted that the popularity of the President or the policy of our Government should ever be staked on such contingencies.

Paris, FRA - 3 July 1793

It is unfortunate, that the administration of St Domingo did not make arrangement with the French Minister in Philadelphia, to provide the means for paying their drafts.

Sainport, FRA - 4 July 1793

The reparation enjoined by the representatives of the French nation is worthy of its justice, and consequently the United States will be perfectly satisfied with it.

unknown - 18 July 1793

I have read over the subject which you recommend to my attention. It excites equally surprise and indignation, and ought certainly to be taken notice of by some one who can do it justice.

unknown - 22 July 1793

From his conversation, his sentiments are right and firm on the French Revolution, and in other respects I discovered no symptoms of heresy.

Columbus - 29 July 1793

Charles Adams letter to John Quincy Adams... I received the copies of your oration by Mr. Atkinson, for which I give you my own and the thanks of my friends.

unknown - 30 July 1793

Do you know what is the idea of France with regard to the defensive quality of the guaranty, and of the criterion between offensive and defensive war, which I find differently defined by different jurists; also, what are the ideas of the President on

unknown - 5 August 1793

Your account of the ticklish situation with respect to Genet in the 14 th is truly distressing. His folly would almost beget suspicions of the worst sort.

Sainport, FRA - 6 August 1793

I thank you for your attention to the affair of the brig Patty, and your services in that of the ship Laurens.

Sainport, FRA - 7 August 1793

Enclosed herewith you will find my account up to the first of last month. I did not send it sooner, because I wished to comprise therein those of the Consulates, none of which are come forward.

unknown - 11 August 1793

The task on which you have put me must be abridged, so as not to go beyond that period. You will see that the first topic is not yet completed.

Sainport, FRA - 13 August 1793

You will perceive, Sir, in this correspondence one of the many violations of our flag in the case of the Little Cherub, which, being attended with circumstances of peculiar atrocity, called for more pointed animadversion.

Sainport, FRA - 20 August 1793

I do not pretend, Sir, to interfere in the internal concerns of the French Republic, and I am persuaded that the Convention has had weighty reasons for laying upon commerce the restrictions of which the American captains complain.

unknown - 20 August 1793

I am just setting off to Monroe's, and hope to prevent the trouble of an express from Monticello with the letter referred to in it. I have already acquainted you with the immediate object of this visit.

Philadelphia, PA - 22 August 1793

will sufficiently inform you of the transactions which have taken place between M. Genet, the Minister of France, and the government here, and of the painful necessity they have brought on, of desiring his recall.

At Col. Monroes - 22 August 1793

The whole piece was more hurried than it ought to have been, and these paragraphs penned in the instant of my setting out, which had been delayed as late as would leave enough of the day for the journey.

unknown - 27 August 1793

I have since seen the RICHMOND and the Philad'a papers, containing, the latter, the certificate of Jay & King, and the publications relating to the subject of it; the former, the proceedings at RICHMOND, dictated, no doubt, by the cabal at Philad'a

unknown - 2 September 1793

The conduct of Genet, as developed in these, and in his proceedings as exhibited in the newspapers, is as unaccountable as it is distressing. The effect is beginning to be strongly felt here

unknown - 15 September 1793

Since I parted from you I have had several letters from Mr. Jefferson, in which all the facts involving Genet are detailed. His conduct has been that of a madman.

Sainport, FRA - 22 September 1793

I suppose Mr Pinckney has his hands full of similar business, for I learn, now and then, that the British privateers make as free with our vessels as the French have done.

Sainport, FRA - 1 October 1793

I have the honor to send you herewith, the copies of two judgments, rendered with regard to the American vessel, the George.

Paris, FRA - 8 October 1793

Unhappily, they will show you, that the agent, whom you employed to maintain harmony between our two Republics, has been at least indiscreet

Paris, FRA - 10 October 1793

I arrived in this city the afternoon of the fifth. I had an interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the morning of the eighth.

Paris, FRA - 10 October 1793

I am very anxious that Consuls and Vice Consuls should be appointed in all the ports. My countrymen are incessantly applying to me from every quarter about property taken from them.

Paris, FRA - 10 October 1793

The President of the United States has done justice to our sentiments, in attributing the deviations of the citizen Genet to causes entirely foreign from his instructions

Paris, FRA - 12 October 1793

I request you at the same time, Sir, to permit me to make two general observations on the whole of this business; one of which applies to the organization, and the other to the proceedings of the commercial tribunals.

Paris, FRA - 14 October 1793

You have complained of the fraud committed by the captors of the ship Peggy, in taking away the papers, which proved her cargo to be American.

Paris, FRA - 17 October 1793

Mr Livingston delivered to me yours of the 25th of July. He says that you alone gave him an idea of this country like the reality.

Paris, FRA - 18 October 1793

The present government is evidently a despotism both in principle and practice. The Convention now consists of only a part of those, who were chosen to frame a constitution.

Paris, FRA - 19 October 1793

It may be an important judicial question, how far the Minister is protected by the law of nations, after the arrival of his successor.

Paris, FRA - 19 October 1793

But although I cannot be of your opinion, I do not intend farther to discuss the considerations, which have produced the decision of the French government.

Paris, FRA - 19 October 1793

In a subsequent conversation he assured me, that Genet should be punished. I replied that the United States had only ordered me to ask his recall, and I could go no farther.

Paris, FRA - 20 October 1793

Be that as it may, the French have experienced a complete defeat in Alsace. The lines of the Lauter have been forced, and they have lost everything.

Orange, VA - 24 October 1793

I now lose not a moment in complying with its request; tho' I foresee it cannot reach you before you will have left Mount Vernon

Orange, VA - 29 October 1793

I send the little balance of tea due to Mrs. Monroe, which I intended, but failed, to procure before my late trip.

Lebanon, CT - 31 October 1793

Moreover, the Constitution must be paramount to the law in such cases ; otherwise, the power granted may be so controlled as not to be sufficient to surmount the necessity of the occasion.

Paris, FRA - 12 November 1793

I understand that a kind of etiquette has been established, by which the Consuls, as not being properly diplomatic characters, are not received or invited with the Minister

Sainport, FRA - 16 November 1793

In my last, I had the honor to inform you, that the rate of depreciation had continued nearly about what it was on the twelfth of September, viz. two and a half to three for one.

Paris, FRA - 26 November 1793

You will form some more accurate idea of this situation, when I tell you that a young American by the name of Griffith, having lost at Havre my certificate that he was an American citizen, was taken up.

Philadelphia, PA - 5 December 1793

The President's speech will show you an abundance of serious business which we have before us. Mr. Jefferson called on me last night, and informed me that to-day we should have the whole budget of foreign affairs

Paris, FRA - 9 December 1793

I receive, every day, letters which present to me the sad picture of what the commerce of the United States suffers at Bordeaux. Our vessels came on the faith of treaties.

Paris, FRA - 12 December 1793

The insurgents of Vendee, who had broken into Lower Normandy, seem to have divided themselves into various bands, and to have been attended with a varied success

Philadelphia, PA - 16 December 1793

my time is consumed in the dull uniformity of study and attendance in Senate; but every hour of your day is interesting to me.

Philadelphia, PA - 19 December 1793

If a suitable season should occur for ploughing, our men may plough ; if not, they may leave it till spring, I like your plan very well

Philadelphia, PA - 24 December 1793

Since being at this place I have had several conversations with Dr. Rush respecting your distressing illness, and I have reason to believe that he has given the subject some reflection.

Philadelphia, PA - 25 December 1793

When you have finished a letter, read it carefully over, and correct all the errors you can discover.

Paris, FRA - 29 December 1793

A letter, which I have just received from the citizen Griffith, informs me that he has been two months in prison, with out any charge whatever being exhibited against him.

Philadelphia, PA - 31 December 1793

It is said that some few yet die of the yellow fever which lately raged here; but the disorder does not appear to be, at present, in any degree contagious

Philadelphia, PA - 31 December 1793

What -- can neither affection nor civility induce you to devote to me the small portion of time which I have required? Are authority and compulsion then the only engines by which you can be moved?