John Adams to Charles William Frederic Dumas

I am honoured with yours of the 7. and 8: June—I have been introduced here, to Sir James Harris, who seems to be a Sensible and agreable Man. I should think it most advisable, for you and for myself if I were at the Hague to behaive towards him as the Minister of a sovereign in Amity with the United States, not discovering any aversion or Jealosy on one Side more than common, nor more Confidence or attachment on the other—

I have been received here by the King and Queen, with decided Marks of Respect, Such as demonstrate the determination of their Majesty’s to treat the United States compleatly on a footing with other Souvereign Powers: but I am far from concluding from thence, that the Ministry will do what we think they ought to do. Time alone can discover, and perhaps not a short time, neither.

I am much obliged to you for communicating my Letters to Mr. Fagel, according to the advice of our friend the Baron De Linden, whom I alway’s esteemed and in whom I have found since I have been here, more estimable Qualities than ever. Sensible. Judicious. and attentive as a public Minister, and friendly and obliging as a private Gentleman—

Do you think there ever was in any Country a Phænominon more rare, that I am in this you will not wonder that the teliscopes of all the Astronomers are lifted up to make their observations—You will see by the Gazettes that I have still the honour of meriting the hatred of our old Boston Tories, whose malice has constantly born testimony in my favour these five and twenty Years. it is a Comfort to me that it still continues Steady. My Conscience would misgive me, if they should become my friends. I have never found in my Life any other Men so gifted in the art of Lying, as they.

My Respects to Madam and Miss adieu