Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08290 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Quincy, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 November 1810 Pagination: 2 p. ; 22.6 x 18.3 cm.

Summary of Content: John Quincy Adams and relations between the United States and Russia:"The Emperor seems to think more highly of our Country than we do, and is more fond of Intercourse with us than we seem to be with him. The commerce between our two countries is already of great value to both..."

Full Transcript: Quincy November 10 1810
Sir
For your kind congratulations and benevolent Wishes Accept my best Thanks. My health is much better and more constant than could be reasonab[inserted: ly expected] by ...a Man, who, after a Life of care Toil and Storms has entered his Sixteenth Lustre.
The American Minister in Russia, in the Extremety of the cold about the middle of last Winter, was Slightly indispersed So as to keep House for a few days, but soon recoved his usual health till thi tenth of July Since which we have heard nothing. How Soon he will return to the United States [text loss]ow not: but I fear not So Soon as his Friends here wish to See him. I believe you may write without fear of his leaving Russia before your Letter reaches it.
The last Letters we have received from him were dated in July: none later than the Tenth of that Month, His Health was then good. What the Object of his Mission was and what his Prospect of affecting it, I know no more [struck: Than] than is known to you and all the World.
The Reception that has been given him and every branch of his Family, by The Emperor, Empress, Empress Dowager, The Minister of Foreign Affairs and all the Foreign Ambassadors has been as flattering as ever was given by a Court to [inserted: a] foreign Minister. The Emper [inserted: or] Seems to think more highly of our Country than we do, and is more fond of Intercourse with Us than We Seem to be with him. [2] The Commerce between the two Countries is [struck: of] already of great value to both: and, with out Some enormous blunder in our Policy will become more important every day.
The good Will of an Empire like that of Russia is not a matter of Indifference to our young Nation and growing Country. We ought to have had it Thirty years ago. It was within our grasp, but was Snatched from our Embrces by Intrigues: Such Intrigues as our Simple inexperienced Nation has been too often duped by. I am Sir with much Esteem
your very humble Servant John Adams

Hon. William Plummer
Epping New Hampshire
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People: Plumer, William, 1759-1850
Adams, John, 1735-1826
Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Subjects: PresidentGovernment and CivicsDiplomacyGlobal History and CivicsForeign AffairsCommerceMerchants and TradeVice President

Sub Era: The Age of Jefferson & Madison

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