The Cantos Project - LXV

LXV

Jurors refuse to take oath
saying: while Chief Justice of the Court stands
impeached.
Moses Gill has made many justices by lending money.
A statue of H. M. (His Majesty.)
very large
on horseback
solid lead gilded with gold
on an high marble pedestal
We then walked up Broadway
magnificent building, cost 20,000 pounds
N.Y. currency
Ship
of 800 tons burden lest levelling spirit of New England
should propagate itself in New York
whole charge of the Province
between 5 and 6 thousand pounds N. York money
For Massachusetts about 12 thousand lawful
as wd/ equal about 16,000 of N. York
Advised him to publish
from Hakluyt the voyage of J. Cabot,
Hudibras
tavern, Princeton, sing as badly as the presbyterians of
N. York
sez congress shd/ raise money and
employ men to write in the newspapers (in England)
Washington would raise one thousand men
at his own expense
and march for release of Boston
not a Virginian
but an American Patrick Henry
tenants in capite, Galloway well aware that my arguments
tend to the independency of the colonies
bound by no laws made by Parliament
since our ancestors came here
Bill of Rights
wished to hear in Congress at large
law of natr/ Brit. constitution
trade of Empire cd/ be under parliament
Mr Rutledge of S. Carolina said:
‘Adams,
We must agree upon something.’
Turtle and everything else
a dutchified English prayer
17th of September:
America will support Massachusetts
‘that nation
new avows bribery to be part of her system’
Mr Henry, American legislature
After December 1st no molasses
coffee pimento from Domenica
fine bowling green and fine turtle, madeira
Congress nibbling and quibbling as usual
took departure in very great rain from
the happy, the peaceful, the elegant
Philadelphy
2 young ladies to sing us the new liberty song
readiness to be shot / versus / taxes
judgement gives way to fears 1/3rd of humanity
IMbecility of 2nd petition Mr Hancock had ambition
Mr Adams (that is Saml) said nothing, appeared deeply
to consider ...
but seconded my motion in Congress
Mr Washington seated near by the door
scuttled into the book room with modesty
Dickenson
past the meridian, avarice growing on him
alum (p. 432)
Suppose yr/ladyship has been in the twitters
I
oated at the Red Lion
6 sets of works in one building, hemp mill, oil mill, and
a mill to grind bark for tanners, at Bethlehem, a fuller’s
mill both for cloth and leather, dye-house, sharing house
they raise a great deal of madder
Committee to purchase woollen goods for the Army
Sept. 1775, to 5000 L/ sterling
delegates of Pennsylvania produced no account of the powder
100 tons of powder was wanted
Cushing said: I move we take into consideration
a means of keeping up the army in winter.
Ammunition can not be had unless we open out ports
Can’t stand war without trade
tobacco to France and Spain. Rutledge said:
Take men from
agriculture and put ’em in factories
Agriculture and manufacturies
can not be lost but trade is precarious.
‘Americans are their own carriers now
Imperative to open out ports,’ said Mr Zubly
Provisions to Spain for money
and cash sent to England for powder
‘We are between hawk and buzzard’ said Livingston
pleased that New Jersey raise two battalions
of eight companies each
68 privates, capn, lieutenant, ensign, 4 sergeants 4 corporals
Who to appoint officers for their artillery
Personal friends have not been suitable
rather Washington’s word than any convention’s
Trade or no trade
powder, appointment of officers
How trade? by whose carriage? farms, manufacturies
hitherto as if money
was province’s not of the continent
John Adams as seen by John Adams, squabbles in congress
to shut or not shut customs houses
‘Everything we want for war is powder and shot’
said Mr Zubly
2ndly arms and munitions
3rdly that we must have money
We must keep up the notion that this paper is good
for something (commerciabili?)?
Mississippi scheme in France
South Seas in England
were writ for our learning
A navy! Can we have one? without trade?
Can we maintain war without it?
Can we get information?
Spaniards too lazy to come here for goods
To trade with England or foreigners?
If so, who does the carrying? They to us, we to them?
I speak from principle, it has been said we associate
in terrorem
Damn well right, Mr Zubly.
Deane wd/ have traders prohibited importing unnecessary ...
and export of all livestock save horses
Guadaloupe, Martinique will supply powder against tobacco
each colony shd/ carry this trade, not individuals
Chase Oct 20. 1775
Jay says: more from individual enterprise
than from lukewarmness of assemblies
want french woollens dutch worsteds
german steel
Wythe says: better open our trade altogether
Why shdn’t America have a navy? We abound in firs, iron ore, tar
the Romans suddenly built one against Carthage
RESOLVED that two vessels be fitted.
6th April: to remove all restrictions on trade
oblige Britain to keep up a navy
that will cost her twice what she takes from us.
FAECE Romuli non Platonis republica!
‘America’ (Wythe) will hardly live without trade
Am for giving letters of marque
and for powder, to make treaties with us, Why
call ourselves dutiful subjects?
Wd/ France have listened to Bristol or Liverpool?
Resolved: a committee to draft confederation.
To provide flax, hemp, wool and cotton
in each colony of society for furtherance
of agriculture, arts, manufacturies
and correspondence between these societies
that natural advantages be not neglected
Ducks and sail cloth
Is it in the interest of France?
Resentment a duty, a man’s person, property, liberty
not safe without it
Hooper of North Carolina said: I wish to see a day
when slaves are not necessary
Lee, Sherman and Gadsden on my side
Rush, Franklin, Bayard and Mifflin putt us wise to
the rumours against us
‘adventurers, bankrupt attourneys
from Massachusetts
‘dependent on popularity.’ So prompt fair and explicit.
‘Mr Jefferson, you can write ten times better than I can’
Cut about 1/4th and some of the best of it
I have often wondered that J’s first draft has not
been published
suppose the reason is the
vehement philippic
against
negro slavery’
thus Adams, 40 years later.
To contract for importation of gun powder
or if cannot, then for salt peter and sulphur
enough to make 500 tons
40 brass field pieces (6 pounders) 10,000 stand arms
June 12th. J. Adams head of the Board of War
till Nov. eleventh ‘77
had conversed much with gentlemen
who conduct our cod and whale fisheries
Our seamen if once let loose on the ocean ...
They said: wd/ ruin the character of our seamen etc.
‘make ’em mercenary and bent wholly on plundah’
‘In any character yr/ Lordship please except
that of a British subject’
(John to Lord Howe in parley)
88 battalions, September,
dash had already formed lucrative connections in Paris
by Mr D (Deane’s) recommendations
particularly with Ray de Chaumont
who was shipping stuff to sell on commission
Always have been and still are spies in America (1804)
and I considered the
fisheries.
To Capn Sam Tucker commanding the Boston:
(wind high and seas very rough)
You are to afford him every accommodation in yr/ power
and consult him as to what port you shall endeavour to get to
W. Vernon
J. Warren
Navy Board , Eastern Department
Sunday 15th came under sail before breakfast
hauled my wind to southward
found they did chase me
Log book, Sl. Tucker 19 Feb
after running 3 hours to westward
I then hove in the stays
she continued to chase us
all day, but I rather gain on her.
Smoke, smell of sea coal, of stagnant and putrid water
increase the qualminess but do not occasion it
in calm with our guns out
Tucker said his orders were to take me to France
and any prizes that might fall in his way
At night the wind increased to a hurrycane
North, East by North, then North West
ane blasterend bubb gan in the foresail ding
rollings
agonies, the sailors’ their countenances language be-haviour
no man upon his legs nothing in place chests casks bottles
etcetera
no place no person dry
by lightning
at mainmast and topmast
wounded 23 men
Log Book of Saml Tucker
continually one thing after another giving way
lay by under main sail
down topgallant yards
4. P.M. carried away slings chains and the mizzen
4 A.M. made sail and began to
repair the rigging
Mr Johnnie’s behaviour gave satisfaction (i.e. young J. Q. Adams)
inexpressible inconvenience of having so little
space between decks nothing but
dread of pistol to keep men in quarters in action
ship not properly furnished with glasses
which wd/ save their expense in a thousand ways
INattention in navy as in the army
INattention to health of the sailors
the practice of profane swearing and cursing
1st March: mainmast found sprung in two places
sea, clouds, sea, everything damp, sea,
clouds, fair sun, 9 knots and no noise
What the state of finances, stocks and their army? So that
the ball passed directly over my head. Tucker in old age said
that J. A. was out with a musket like any damn common marine
‘Ordered him; but there he wuz out again
I sez: Me orders, sir, are to git yew to EUrope’
Was a letter of marque, shot through our mizzen yard
we upon this turned our broadside which
the instant she saw, she struck. The Martha, worth 80,000 pund sterling
Capn McIntosh much a gentleman
5 weeks after our embarcation
‘Mr McIntosh of North Britain
very decided against America in the
contest. His passions enkindle’
Numbers of small birds from the shore
instant they light on a ship
drop asleep from exhaustion
Oleron, famous for sea laws
at least I take it this is the place
along side with hakes, skates and gurnardss
river very beautiful on both sides
horses, oxen, great flocks, husbandmen ploughing
women a half dozen in droves with their hoes
churches, convents, gentlemen’s seats
very magnificent.
From perils of the sea, intrigues, business wangles
rural improvements are brought down to the water’s edge
muddy water, grand seats, beautiful groves
a number of vessels in the river land, cattle, horses after
so long a journey
at Bordeaux, at Blaye
de lonh
First dish was a fine french soup then boiled meat
lights of calf one way and liver another
bread very fine and fine salad the
raisins are most delicious
none of us understood french none of them english
on quarter deck I was struck with the hens
capons cocks in their coops
Saluted a small town called Blaye
with the INdependent salute
i.e. 13 for the colonies
All the gentlemen agreed Dr Franklin
had been rec’d by the King with great pomp
and a treaty concluded
there are 4 sorts: Château Margaux, Haute Brion, Lafitte and Latour
fish and bean salad, claret, champagne
to see the new comédie and, after, the opera
dancing very cheerful (our
American theatre not then even in contemplation)
Trompette, work of Vauban
Banished in Louis XVth’s time for working with Malesherbes
I concluded there was a form of sincerity in it
decorated with compliments
saw ‘Les deux avares’
Tucker tho’ not polished
was an energetic and successful commander
Lights in the garden and an Inscription
Their eagerness to sell a knife was as great as that
of some persons I have seen to get offices
fields of grass, vineyards, castles
yet every place swarms with beggars
Rue Richelieu, Hôtel de Valois
then Basse Cour, had been Hôtel Valentinois
Money in Mr Schweighauser’s hands
signed; Franklin
Lee
Adams
To J. Williams :
abstain from further expenditure
and close your accounts
Mr Beaumarchais, another of Mr Deane’s friends.
Dined that day with Madame Helvetius
to the Long Champ where all carriages of Paris were paraded
As descent modest and regular
a family as ever I saw in France
Among whom was M. Condorcet his face white as a sheet of paper
Franklin, Deane, Bancroft are friends
never was before I came here
a letter book
a minute book
an account book
Mr Deane lived expensively. Dr Franklin
Great wit, great humourist, great politician, the Lees
are all virtuous men, If
there had been letters, minutes, accounts, Mr Lee
had not seen them
In first box near the celebrated Voltaire
Mme la Duchesse d’Agen a 5 ou 6 enfants
contre la coutume du pays
des Noailles 18 million louis a year from the crown
number of persons with their eyes fixed on our little treasury
You wrote that you wd/ send the invoices if we thought necessary
The King’s bed chamber where he was dressing
one putting on his sword, one his coat
I accordingly wrote to Sam Adams:
Enormous
sums have been expended, no book of
accounts, no documents wherefrom
able to learn what has been rec’d in America
Wrong in having three commissioners one is enough
in leaving salaries at uncertainty
in mingling public minister and commercial agent
Mr Deane never succeeded in throwing much light on
his mode of doing business in France.
Many other qualities I cd/ not distinguish from virtues
His Majesty ate like a King, solid beef
and other things in proportion
Offer to make 200 peers (in America)
To the dwelling of Mme du Barry
who sent to invite us
Turgot, Condillac, Mme Helvetius
M. Genet's son went with me and my son to the menagerie
Barbier de Seville at the Comédie (Nantes)
acting indifferent.
Much conversation
about the electrical eel.
His voice (P. Jones ’s)
is still, and soft, and small
Laws of the laws of the Visigoths and Justinian still in use in Galicia
13 mules 2 muletiers arriving Corunna at 7
pork of this country excellent and delicious
also bacon, Chief Justice informs me that much of it
is fattened on chestnuts and upon indian corn
other pork is they say fattened on vipers
possible imports to Spain:
grain of all sorts pitch turpentine timber,
salt fish, spermaceti and rice.
Tobacco they have from their colonies
as also indigo
of the King’s tobacco they take 10 millions weight per annum
Saw ladies take chocolate in Spanish fashion
dined on board la Belle Poule
Galicia, no floor but ground trodden to mire by
men hogs horses and mules
no chimney 1/2 way as you ascend to the chamber
was a stage covered with straw
on which lay a fattening hog
above, corn was hung on sticks and on slit work
in one corner a bin full of rape seed or culzar
in the other a bin full of oats
among which slept better than since my arrival in Spain
In general the mountains covered with furze
scarce an elm oak or other tree
O’Brien afterward sent me a minced pie and a meat pie
at St James Campostella and 2 bottles of Frontenac wine
nothing rich but the churches, nothing fat but the clergy
NO symptoms of commerce or even of internal traffic
Between Galice and Leon 1780
all of colour made of black sheep’s wool undyed
the river Valcaire between two rows of mountains
not a decent house since Corunna
4. Tuesday, clean bed, no fleas for the first time in Spain
at Astorga
largest turnips I ever saw
Mauregato women, as fine as squaws and a great deal more nasty
Hoy mismo han llegado
a esta plaza el Caballero
Juan Adams miembro
etc/ los Ingleses
evacuando Rhode Island
los Americanos tomaron ...
Gazette de Madrid, 24th of December
Great flocks of sheep and cattle
Asturias mountains
river runs also down into Portugal
a dance they call the fandango
Tuesday 11th at Burgos
we go along sneezing and coughing
my patience never nearer exhausted
33 religious houses in Burgos
In the last house in Spain we found one chimney
First since that in the French consul’s, Corunna.
River Charent runs by it
Vergennes might suppose that I in naiveté
wd/ send him my instructions
My determination to insist on the fisheries
(in fact John saved cod to Baastun)
I was not clear that I suspected his motives
U.S. at liberty to negotiate commerce, as peace
they intended to keep us in stew with England
for as long as possible after the peace, as was EFfected
for for eleven years until Jay
sacrificed his popularity and Washington’s was diminished
Those who wish to investigate WHOM in congress
(leaving us no doubt Vergennes was a twister)
with my two sons to Amsterdam
rye barley oats beans
hemp grain clover lucern and sainfoin
and the pavements are good, vines cattle sheep everything plentiful
such wheat crops never saw elsewhere
church music Italian style
a tapestry number of jews stabbing the wafer
blood gushing from it
Brussels stone same as Braintree North Common
excellent character, emperor did not like him
intermixture houses trees ships canals very startling
neatness remarkable
Van der Capellen tot de Pol
fears holders of English funds will etc/
tried to end some feudal burdens about here
and got himself censured
O.K., as was Van Berckel
Don Joas Tholomeno: Independence of America is assured
Sept. 14th ‘82
Mirabel (Sardegna) only why dont they acknowledge it?
5 copies, English and Dutch side by side,
said wd/ be signed next week.
aetat 46
foreign ministers all herd together
Rheingrave de Salm, Colonel Bentinck
Prussian minister will talk of astronomy natural
history news sieges but very reserved upon politics
VERJARING
van den veldslag by Lexington
Eerste Memoire dan den Heer Adams
INDRUK of de Hollandsche Natie
Deputies of Holland and Zeeland
we signed etc/ treaty of commerce
8 Oct ‘82
firmness heaven has given you
commerce of Bruge, Ostend grown with our revolution
vingt à vingtcinq navires dans le bassin
(Count Sarsfield)
magazins de la ville sont remplis,
journée d’un homme 15 s/ et nourri.
Oeuvre de M. Le Duc de Vauguyon
to sign one's name 16,000 times after dinner
Mr Vischer who was more open than I had known him
said the Stadtholder was le plus grand t… de ce pays-ci
entêté comme une she mule
Rode to Valenciennes and found our axletree broken
again, walks, rose gardens, waterspouts, fish ponds
carp will assemble in an huddle before you
sticking their mouths out of water
Mlle de Bourbon her hair uncombed
came out by the round house
with it hanging over her shoulders, in white
Thus France taxes Europe
great part of court policy to
provide national influence over la mode
as an occasion of commerce Jay is des Petits Augustins
Franklin intrigues manoeuvres insinuates
I will make a good peace or no peace
“shall enjoy right to fish unmolested
on banks and in Gulf of St Lawrence
or wherever else heretofore to
dry cure in Nova Scotia
Cape Sable and on any unsettled bays”
compliments conversation on vapors and exhalations from Tartary
For my part thought that Americans
Had been embroiled in European wars long enough
easy to see that
France and England wd/ try to embroil us OBvious
that all powers of Europe will be continually at manoeuvre
to work us into their real or imaginary balances
of power; J. A. 1782 FISHERIES
our natural right, garters stars keys titles ribbons
objects of these men of high life
France wd/ never
send that money (send any of it) to England
whereas we getting money from Portugal
must spend it in London, considered
their attack on me an attack on the fisheries.
‘If I have not’ sez I ‘been mistaken
in the policy of France from my first observation
of it to this hour, they have been as averse to
other powers acknowledging our independence
as you have been.’
‘GOD!’
sez he (Oswald) ‘Now I see it.
I will write home at once on this subject’
To exempt fishermen husbandmen merchants
as much as possible from evils of future wars
Dr Franklin (a nice lesson any how)
The King
is like Mr Hancock
Nor where who sows the corn by corn is fed
(Lady Lucan’s verses on Ireland)
The Duke de la Rochefoucauld
made me a visit
(Lady Lucan’s verses on Ireland)
made me a visit
and desired me to explain to him some
passages in the Connecticut constitution
(at which point Mr Eliot left us)
Mr Vaughn said etc/ that he saw
‘But’ sez he ‘you can not blame us endeavouring
to carry this point to market
and get something by it’
(which seems fairly English)
To get Billy (Franklin) made minister here
and the Doctor to London
Mlle Bourbon is grown very fat, Chatham so dampened the
zeal of Sardegna
BLUSH, oh ye records!
congress has double XX’d me
How will they wash it? I
dined with M. Malesherbes uncle of Luzerne
tiers état contains 30 classes
Dined atPassy; S’il règne un faux savoir
which inflexibility has been called vanity. Policy
of frog court to lay stumbling block
between England and America
None English have come, apprized, here
of where was the danger
Peace is made. Negotiations all passed before I hear
of Livingston
such is Doc Franklin (May 3rd 1783)
a composed man
plain Englishman Duke and Ambassador Manchester.
I told Hartley their policy with Holland was wrong all wrong
if they backed the Stadtholder the Emperor and French wd/
back the republicans and all Europe enkindle
England
had now stronger reason to cultivate Holland
and not push up the Bourbon
expedient that an intercourse
and commerce be opened, laws of Gt Britain on
plantation trade contrived solely to benefit Britain
said Dutch vessels had gone to America
loaded with linens, duck, sailcloth etc
copper corrodes ships’ iron
most agreeable day I ever spent at Versailles
(17 June ‘83)
Sardinian ambassador said it was curious
to remark on the progress of commerce
furs from Hudson Bay Company
sent to London were sent to Siberia

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