Adams, John, 1735-1826 to John Jay
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01538 Author/Creator: Adams, John, 1735-1826 Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: June 2, 1785 Pagination: 8 p. : address ; 23 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Marked "Duplicate" by Adams, and possibly used for en-cyphering because of the marks and lines above letters, words and sentences. Describes in great detail Adams's reception by King George III as America's first ambassador to Great Britain. He quotes his speech to the king, and the king's response. He also describes an awkward moment when the king tactlessly remarked "There is an opinion, among some People, that you are not the most attracted of all your Countrymen, to the manners of France." Adams writes "I was a little embarassed, but determined not to deny the Truth on one hand, nor leave him to infer from it, any attachment to England on the other, I threw off as much Gravity as I could... and said 'That opinion Sir, is not mistaken, ... I have no Attachment but to my own country.['] The King replied, as quick as lightening 'An honest Man will never have any other.'" Adams notes that his experience in the audience might prove useful to later diplomats.
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