American Aurora
Page 49
By deciding to have Ben Franklin as its sole minister to France, Congress deprives John Adams of all diplomatic credentials!
Wednesday, October 21, 1778. Today, the Continental Congress grants leave to Major General Marquis de Lafayette, who was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine Creek. The Journals report:
Resolved, That the Marquis de la Fayette, major-general in the service of the United States, have leave to go to France …
Resolved, That the President write a letter to the Marquis de la Fayette, returning him the thanks of Congress for that disinterested zeal which has led him to America, and for the services he hath rendered to the United States by the exertion of his courage and abilities on many signal occasions.
Resolved, That the minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the court of Versailles, be directed to cause an elegant sword, with proper devices, to be made and presented, in the name of the United States, to the Marquis de la Fayette.1099
Saturday, December 4, 1778. Today, commissioners John Adams, Arthur Lee, and Benjamin Franklin discuss French aid. Arthur Lee records:
In a conference of the commissioners on the subject of a memorial to Count Vergennes, drawn up by Dr. Franklin, to obtain funds to enable them to pay interest of the [French] loan, Mr. Adams observed “that he thought we ought to state the interest France had in supporting us, how little the expense was in proportion to that interest, and not make it a matter of mere grace.” It was his opinion, he said, “that this court did not treat us with any confidence, nor give us any effectual assistance.” Dr. Franklin took it up with some warmth, and said “he did not see how they were defective; they had sent a fleet and given us money.” Mr. Adams replied, “that the monied assistance was pitiful, and that the fleet had done us no service.” Dr. Franklin answered, “that was not their fault, as they took the wisest method of making it useful.”1100
Saturday, December 5, 1778. Today, from Paris, John Adams writes his good friend James Warren of Massachusetts,
There is another thing which I am obliged to mention. There are so many private Families Ladies and Gentlemen that [Dr. Franklin] visits so often … and so much intercourse with Academicians that all these things together keep his mind in such a constant state of Dissipation that if he is left alone here, the Public Business will suffer in a degree beyond description …1101
Friday, December 18, 1778. Today, John Adams writes the wife of a Massachusetts colleague,
What shall I say, Madam, to your Question whether I am as much in the good graces of the Ladies as my venerable Colleague [Dr. Franklin]. Ah No! Alas, Alas No!
The Ladies of this Country have an unaccountable passion for old Age, whereas our Country women you know, Madam, have rather a Complaisance for youth if I remember right. This is rather unlucky for me, for I have nothing to do but to wish myself back again to 25.
I will take the Liberty to mention an anecdote or two amongst a multitude to shew you how unfortunate I am in being so young. A Gentleman introduced me the other day to a Lady. Voila, Madame, says he, Monsieur Adams, notre Ami, Le Colleague de Monsieur Franklin! Embrassez le … [Kiss him.] … Ah No, Monsieur, says the Lady, il est trop jeune. [He is too young.]
So that you see. I must wait patiently, full 30 years longer before I can be so great a favorite.1102
Wednesday, January 6, 1779. Tonight, at a ball in Philadelphia to celebrate Ben Franklin’s birthday, George Washington pays special attention to Ben Franklin’s daughter (Benny’s mother!), Sarah Bache, who writes Ben Franklin:
I have lately been several times invited abroad with the General and Mrs. Washington. He always inquires after you in the most affectionate manner and speaks of you highly. We danced at Mrs. Powell’s your birthday or night …1103
Thursday, January 14, 1779. Today, in the Continental Congress, the Journals report:
Whereas it hath been represented to this House by the … minister plenipotentiary of France that “it is pretended the United States have preserved the liberty of treating with Great Britain separately from their ally …”
Resolved, unanimously, That as neither France or these United States may of right, so these United States will not, conclude either truce or peace with the common enemy without the formal consent of their ally first obtained, and that any matters or things which may be insinuated or asserted to the contrary thereof tend to the injury and dishonor of the said states …1104
Tuesday, February 9, 1779. Today, John Adams writes in his diary,
Any Thing to divert Melancholly and to sooth an aching Heart. The Uncandor, the Prejudices, the Rage, among several Persons here, make me Sick as Death.
Virtue is not always amiable. Integrity is sometimes ruined by Prejudices and by Passions. There are two Men in the World who are Men of Honour and Integrity, I believe, but whose Prejudices and violent Tempers would raise Quarrells in the Elysian fields, if not in Heaven. On the other Hand, there is another [Franklin], whose Love of Ease and Dissipation will prevent any thorough Reformation of any Thing, and his Silence and Reserve render it very difficult to do any Thing with him …1105
Sunday, February 14, 1779. Today, John Adams writes his cousin, Samuel Adams:
The Marquis de la Fayette did me the Honour of a Visit, yesterday, and delivered me your favour of 25 of Oct …
How Congress will dispose of me, I don’t know. If it is intended that I shall return, that will be very agreable to me, and I think that this is the most probable opinion …
I confess I expected the most dismal consequences from [the possible removal of the commissioners] … But the arrival of Franklin’s commission [as sole commissioner] has relieved me from many of these Fears—This Court have Confidence in him alone …1106
Saturday, February 20, 1779. Today, from Paris, John Adams writes his complaints to Abigail:
A new commission has arrived by which the Dr. [Franklin] is sole minister … I am reduced to the condition of a private citizen. The Congress have not taken the least notice of me. On the 11th of September they resolved to have one minister only in France. On the 14th they chose the Dr. In October they made out his commission, the Alliance sailed on the 14th January, and in all that interval they never so much as bid me come home, bid me stay, or told me I had done well or done ill … I should not be at all surprised if I should see an accusation against me for something or other, I know not what, but I see that all things are possible …1107
Sunday, February 28, 1779. Today, John Adams writes Abigail:
I suppose I must write every day in order to keep or rather to restore good Humour, whether I have any thing to say or not.
The Scaffold is cutt away, and I am left kicking and sprawling in the Mire. It is hardly a state of Disgrace that I am in but rather of Neglect and Contempt … If I had deserved such Treatment, I should have deserved to be told so at least …
I have given Notice here and written to Congress of my Intentions to return …
If I ever had any Wit it is all evaporated—if I ever had any Imagination it is all quenched …
I believe I am grown more austere, severe, rigid, and miserable than ever I was.—I have seen more occasion perhaps.1108
His diplomatic credentials withdrawn, John Adams will now begin his return journey to the United States, setting off from Paris for the port city of Nantes.1109
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1779
The Pennsylvania Gazette
The British Court leave no stone unturned to break the present connections between France and America; and they have secretly offered to restore to France all their acquisitions in the last war [the French and Indian War], and to allow her many special advantages in trade, provided she will relinquish her alliance with these States: But his Most Christian Majesty, though his disposition is pacific as it is generous, is determined to be as faithful to his new allies as Congress has been to him: and to make no settlement but with their consent and upon the surest basis of their Independence and Liberty.
Monday, March 8, 1779. Today, from Philadelphia, retiring French Minister Plenipotentiary Gérard de Rayvenal writes two dispatches to French Foreign Minister Vergennes in Paris:
[R]elative to the probable views of the Opposition Leaders … Their object is to add an alliance [with Britain] to any peace with Britain …
Congress has only some vague Lamentations of Mr. John Adams who guarantees that France will not aid the States with anything …1110
Another idea of the [pro-British] Faction here … is to alter the requirements of making peace so as to negotiate it separately with England and to accept any kind of alliance with that Power, for which the credit will inure to the benefit of the faction …
It is probably in pursuit of this that Messrs. Adams and Lee are exerting all their efforts to render our actual negotiations impossible so that new English commissioners, whose confidence they feel sure to enjoy and with whom they flatter themselves they can negotiate, will have time to arrive.1111
Thursday, April 22, 1779. Today, Benjamin Franklin writes his sister, Jane Mecum:
I live about two Miles out of the City, in a great Garden, that has pleasant Walks in which I can take Exercise in a good Air … I have last Week sent Benny to Geneva where there are as good Schools as here, & where he will be educated a Republican …1112
Monday, May 3, 1779. Today, from Paris, Ben Franklin writes his grandson, Benny Bache:
Dear Benny … [I]t gave me great Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival at Geneva … You now have a fine Opportunity of learning those things that will be reputable and useful to you when you come to be a Man … You ought to be very respectful to Mr Cramer …
Love …
YOUR AFFECTIONATE GRANDFATHER1113
Tuesday, May 4, 1779. Today, Ben Franklin informs the British that he will not negotiate a truce independently of the French:
[T]his Proposition of a Truce, if made at all, should be made to France at the same time it is made to America … America has no desire of being free from her engagements to France. The chief is … not making a separate Peace; and this is an obligation not in the power of America to dissolve, being an obligation of Gratitude and Justice towards a nation which is engaged in a War on her Account and for her protection; and Would be forever binding, whether Such an article existed or not in the Treaty; and tho’ it did not exist, an honest American would cut off his right hand rather than Sign an Agreement with England contrary to the spirit of it.1114
Wednesday, May 12, 1779. During the two months since John Adams left Paris to return to the United States, he has been stalled in the French ports of Nantes, Brest, and St. Nazaire. Today, he writes in his diary:
Conjectures. Jealousies, Suspicions—I shall grow as jealous as any Body.
I am jealous [suspicious] that my Disappointment [in leaving for America] is owing to an Intrigue … that this Device was hit upon by Franklin … to prevent me from going home, lest I should tell some dangerous Truths …
Does the old Conjurer dread my Voice in Congress? He has some Reason for he has often heard it there, a Terror to evil doers.1115
Sunday, May 30, 1779. Today, from Geneva, Benny Bache writes his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin:
Dear grand papa, I take the liberte to wright to you for to tell you that I am in good health. [My supervisor] M. Marignac Gives his compliments to you and says that I am a good boy. I will do all that can for to be the first of the class. M. Cramer is in good health … I have notings mor for to tell you for the presente.
I am your affectionaite Son
B. Franklin B.1116
Wednesday, June 2, 1779. Today, Ben Franklin writes Benny Bache’s father, Richard Bache:
I have had a great deal of pleasure in Ben … ‘Tis a good honest lad, and will make, I think, a valuable man. He had made as much proficiency in his learning as the boarding school he was at could well afford him; and, after some consideration where to find a better for him, I at length fixed on sending him to Geneva. I had a good opportunity by a gentleman of that city who had a place for him in his chaise, and has a son of about the same age at the same school. He promised to take care of him … He went very cheerfully, and I understand is very happy. I miss his company on Sundays at dinner. But, if I live and I can find a little leisure, I shall make the journey next spring to see him and to see at the same time the old 13 United States of Switzerland …1117
Thursday, June 3, 1779. Today, Ben Franklin writes his daughter, Sarah Bache (Benny’s mother):
The clay medallion of me you say you gave to Mr. Hopkinson was the first of the kind made in France. A variety of others have been made since of different sizes; some to be set in lids of snuffboxes, and some so small as to be worn in rings; and the numbers sold are incredible. These, with the pictures, busts, and prints (of which copies upon copies are spread every where) have made your father’s face as well known as that of the moon …
Ben, if I should live long enough to want it, is like to be another comfort to me. As I intend him … as a Republican [not a monarchist], I have sent him to finish his education at Geneva. He is much grown, in very good health, draws a little, as you will see by the inclosed, learns Latin, writing, arithmetic, and dancing, and speaks French better than English … He has not been long from me. I send the accounts I have of him, and I shall put him in mind of writing to you …1118
Tuesday, June 8, 1779. Today, John Adams writes Edmund Jenings, an American friend living in Europe:
Dont misunderstand this. It was not Versailles, Paris, France—French Dress, Cookery, or Gallantry that made me unhappy … but my own Countrymen.1119
Friday, June 18, 1779. Today, after an exasperating wait for more than three and a half months, John Adams sets sail for Boston aboard the French frigate Le Sensible. Traveling with him is the new French Minister to the United States, Anne-César de La Luzerne, and a secretary to the French legation, the Marquis de Barbé-Marbois. As La Luzerne departs, French Foreign Minister Vergennes writes him a warning:
We clearly perceive that an opposition party exists in Congress, which, if not sold to England, nevertheless favors the views of that power and which seeks to establish and to bring into credit principles diametrically opposed to those which form the basis and spirit of our treaties with the United States … [I]t is indubitable that, among them, may be counted Mr. John Adams who has been a Deputy to France and who has just returned to America. The party in question is principally engaged in effecting a reconciliation between the United States and England, in negotiating with and forming an alliance with the court of London. As you know the existing engagements between the King [of France] and the Americans, you can judge yourself that the system of … Adams is directly opposed to these engagements and that if Congress should adopt it, it would destroy the alliance it has contracted with His Majesty.1120
Wednesday, June 23, 1779. Today, on the open ocean of the North Atlantic en route to America, John Adams records in his diary:
This Forenoon, fell strangely, yet very easily into Conversation with [the secretary to the French legation] M. M.[arbois].
Is there not one Catholic [church in Philadelphia], said M.M.? … [S]aid I, There is a Roman catholic Church … consisting partly of Germans, partly of French, and partly of Irish.—All Religions are tolerated in America, said M.M … But Mr. Franklin never had any.—No said I, laughing, because Mr. F. had no—I was going to say what I did not say and will not say here. I stopped short and laughed.—No, said Mr. M., Mr. F. adores only great Nature, which has interested a great many People of both Sexes in his favour.—Yes, said I, laughing, all the Atheists, Deists, and Libertines, as well as the Philosophers and Ladies are in his Train—another Voltaire …—Yes, said, Mr. M., he is celebrated as the great Philosopher and the great Legislator of America.— He is, said I, a great Philosopher, but as a Legislator of America, he has done very little.
It is universally believed in France, England and all Europe, that [Dr. Franklin’s] Electric Wand has accomplished all th
is revolution but nothing is more groundless. He has [done] very little. It is believed that he made all the [state] Constitutions and their Confederation but he made neither … I am sure it cannot be my Duty, nor the Interest of my Country, that I should conceal any of my sentiments of this man … It would be worse than Folly to conceal my Opinion of his great Faults.1121
Thursday, July 15, 1779. Tonight, Brigadier General Anthony Wayne seizes the incomplete British fortifications at Stony Point, New York. George Washington, who will make his headquarters at White Plains, reports this event to Congress:
I had the honor to inform Congress of a successful attack upon the enemy’s post at Stony Point … by Brigadier-General [Anthony] Wayne and the corps of light infantry under his command … He improved upon the plan recommended by me, and executed it in a manner that does signal honor to his judgment and to his bravery. In a critical moment of the assault, he received a fleshwound in the head with a musket-ball, but continued leading on his men with unshaken firmness …
The necessity of doing something to satisfy the expectations of the people, and reconcile them to the defensive plan we are obliged to pursue, and to the apparent inactivity which our situation imposes upon us … concurred to determine me to the undertaking …1122
George Washington has not seen a battle in more than a year!
Thursday, July 29, 1779. Today, George Washington complains to Joseph Reed, the president of Pennsylvania’s executive council, that a disparaging article in the Maryland Journal is unwarranted: