-TO JOHN ADAMS, November 13, 1787

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, November 13, 1787.

Dear Sir,

This will be delivered you by young Mr. Rutledge. Your knowledge of his
father will introduce him to your notice. He merits it, moreover, on his
own account.

I am now to acknowledge your favors of October the 8th and 26th. That of
August the 25th was duly received, nor can I recollect by what accident
I was prevented from acknowledging it in mine of September the 28th. It
has been the source of my subsistence hitherto, and must continue to
be so, till I receive letters on the affairs of money from America. Van
Staphorsts and Willinks have answered my drafts. Your books for Marquis
de la Fayette are received here. I will notify it to him, who is at
present with his Provincial Assembly in Auvergne.

Little is said lately of the progress of the negotiations between
the courts of Petersburg, Vienna, and Versailles. The distance of the
former, and the cautious, unassuming character of its minister here,
is one cause of delays: a greater one is, the greediness and instable
character of the Emperor. Nor do I think that the Principal here,
will be easily induced to lend himself to any connection, which shall
threaten a war within a considerable number of years. His own reign
will be that of peace only, in all probability; and were any accident
to tumble him down, this country would immediately gird on its sword and
buckler, and trust to occurrences for supplies of money. The wound their
honor has sustained, festers in their hearts; and it may be said with
truth, that the Archbishop and a few priests, determined to support his
measures, because proud to see their order come again into power, are
the only advocates for the line of conduct which has been pursued. It is
said, and believed through Paris literally, that the Count de
Montmorin '_pleuroit comme un enfant_,' when obliged to sign the
counter-declaration. Considering the phrase as figurative, I believe it
expresses the distress of his heart. Indeed, he has made no secret of
his individual opinion. In the mean time, the Principal goes on with
a firm and patriotic spirit in reforming the cruel abuses of the
government, and preparing a new constitution, which will give to this
people as much liberty as they are capable of managing. This, I think,
will be the glory of his administration, because, though a good theorist
in finance, he is thought to execute badly. They are about t