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Adams, John (1735-1826) to Charles Dumas re: attempts at patience during Treaty of Paris negotiations

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06931 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Paris Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1783/06/26 Pagination: 2 p. 19 x 15.1 cm Order a Copy

"There is a species of witchcraft [that] governs in England that keeps them from knowing their own minds- and a similar malignant spirit reigns in America and prevents us from getting any intelligence from there... It is now 6 months that I have been waiting in expectation that the next week would bring me something certain." Damaged with losses affecting text at bottom edge and right margin of pages 1 and 2.

Paris June 26. 1783

Sir
It is Sometime Since I had a Line from you or my Son. I hope all is well.
I can give you no News. There is a Species of Witchcraft governs in England which keeps them from knowing their own Minds. - and [struck: at] [inserted: a] similar malignant Spirit reigns in America and prevents us from getting any Intelligence from thence. -
I sometimes feel Wroth enough to wish for the Revival of an old spirit to hang these Witches. - Yet we should find it difficult to get at, the true ones; So I believe I [text loss] recur to my old Resource, Patience
[2] It is now Six Months that I have been waiting in Expectation that the next Week would bring me Something certain. And I am now as uncertain as I was Six months ago.
You will be So good as to inform me when you receive the Ratification of the Treaty when Mr Van berckel sails. And give my Love to my Boy and tell him not to forget his Promises.
Yours
John Adams

[docket]
Mr Dumas.

Dumas, Charles Guillaume Frédéric, 1721-1790
Adams, John, 1735-1826

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