o trace all
their stories. Many pretend to have been American soldiers, some have
served as officers. A most glaring instance of falsehood, however,
Colonel Smith detected in a man of these pretensions, who sent to Mr.
Adams from the King's Bench prison, and modestly desired five guineas; a
qualified cheat, but evidently a man of letters and abilities: but if it
is to continue in this way, a galley slave would have an easier task.

The Tory venom has begun to spit itself forth in the public papers, as I
expected, bursting with envy that an American minister should be
received here with the same marks of attention, politeness, and
civility, which are shown to the ministers of any other power. When a
minister delivers his credentials to the King, it is always in his
private closet, attended only by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, which
is called a private audience, and the minister presented makes some
little address to his Majesty, and the same ceremony to the Queen, whose
reply was in these words: "Sir, I thank you for your civility to me and
my family, and I am glad to see you in this country;" then she very
politely inquired whether he had got a house yet. The answer of his
Majesty was much longer; but I am not at liberty to say more respecting
it, than that it was civil and polite, and that his Majesty said he was
glad the choice of his country had fallen upon him. The news-liars know
nothing of the matter; they represent it just to answer their purpose.
Last Thursday, Colonel Smith was presented at Court, and to-morrow, at
the Queen's circle, my ladyship and your niece make our compliments.
There is no other presentation in Europe in which I should feel as much
as in this. Your own reflections will easily suggest the reasons.

I have received a very friendly and polite visit from the Countess of
Effingham. She called, and not finding me at home, left a card. I
returned her visit, but was obliged to do it by leaving my card too, as
she was gone out of town; but when her ladyship returned, she sent her
compliments and word that if agreeable she would take a dish of tea with
me, and named her day. She accordingly came, and appeared a very polite,
sensible woman. She is about forty, a good person, though a little
masculine, elegant in her appearance, very easy and social. The Earl of
Effingham is too well remembered by America to need any particular
recital of his character. His mother is first lady to the Queen. When