John Adams writes to Guillaume-Thomas Raynal from Amsterdam in early 1782. Raynal is already in his Belgian exile. (I am reproducing the text and footnotes from the magnificent online collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society). After Yorktown, the tone had changed with respect to Histoire des deux Indes: American revolutionaries were casting a critical eye over many passages written by Raynal on North America in Book XVIII. Paine, Mazzei, Washington and Jefferson would soon follow in Adams' footsteps.
* * *
Note the use of the word "pathetic", which corresponds to the more inspiring French pathétique [see]. Among the founders of the new republic, Histoire des deux Indes only mentions five men: "Hancok (sic), Franklin, les deux Adams furent les plus grands acteurs dans cette scène intéressante: mais ils ne furent pas les seuls" (xviii.45); a little later we read about "Leur chef, Wasington (sic)" (xviii.46). This may have infuriated Thomas Jefferson, because the mentions come just before the translation of the Declaration of Independence, with no reference to its main author [see]. Here's a link to Staatsomwenteling van Amerika, the Dutch translation mentioned in the letter.
To the Abbé Raynal
Author: JA
Recipient: Raynal, Guillaume Thomas François, Abbé
Date: 1782-01-05
Amsterdam January 5. 1782
Dr Sir
I have the Honour to transmit you, the Revolution of America, translated into the Sublimest Language of Europe, if we are to believe the People of the Netherlands, who alone understand it. The Compliment paid to four Characters among whom I am Supposed to be one in this History, no doubt induced the Editor to dedicate it {p. 172} to me: be this however as it may, I would not exchange the Small Share which belongs to me in that pathetic Testimony from So distinguished a Friend of Truth, Liberty and Humanity, for a Statue of Bronze or Marble to be erected in honour of me, by the first Monark of the World in the Market street of Philadelphia.1
My Friend Edmund Jennings Esqr, a Gentleman whose Principles Sentiments and Disposition I think will be agreable to you, will have the Honour to deliver you this Letter.3 He resides at Brussells, and is very agreable Company.
I am however, very unhappy to find so many Mistakes in Point of Fact, because coming from so great an authority they will be taken for certain, and have an ill Effect.2
My Friend Edmund Jennings Esqr, a Gentleman whose Principles Sentiments and Disposition I think will be agreable to you, will have the Honour to deliver you this Letter.3 He resides at Brussells, and is very agreable Company.
LbC Adams Papers.
1. Abbé Guillaume Thomas François Raynal, Staatsomwenteling van Amerika. Uit het Fransch, Amsterdam, 1781. Two copies are among JA’s books at MB ( Catalogue of JA’s Library ). For the various printings and translations of Raynal’s work, see vol. 10:405. The dedication reads, “Zyner excellentie John Adams schildknaap gevolmagtigden staatsdienaar der vereenigde staaten van Amerika, edelmoedigen bevorderaar van de onafhanklykheid dier volkplantingen, wordt dit werk onderdaanigst opgedraagen, door zyner excellentie’s Zeer eebiedigenden Dienaar willem holtrop.” Translation: To his Excellency, John Adams Esqr., plenipotentiary officer of the United States of America, noble proponent of the independence of those colonies, this work is most humbly dedicated, by his Excellency’s very respectful servant Willem Holtrop. Raynal’s attribution of the leading roles in the adoption of the Declaration of Independence to John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and the two Adamses appeared on p. 76 of the Dutch edition.
2. See On the Abbé Raynal’s Révolution de l’Amérique, 22 Jan., below.
3. JA enclosed this letter in one to Jenings that has not been found (from Raynal, 18 Jan., below).
1. Abbé Guillaume Thomas François Raynal, Staatsomwenteling van Amerika. Uit het Fransch, Amsterdam, 1781. Two copies are among JA’s books at MB ( Catalogue of JA’s Library ). For the various printings and translations of Raynal’s work, see vol. 10:405. The dedication reads, “Zyner excellentie John Adams schildknaap gevolmagtigden staatsdienaar der vereenigde staaten van Amerika, edelmoedigen bevorderaar van de onafhanklykheid dier volkplantingen, wordt dit werk onderdaanigst opgedraagen, door zyner excellentie’s Zeer eebiedigenden Dienaar willem holtrop.” Translation: To his Excellency, John Adams Esqr., plenipotentiary officer of the United States of America, noble proponent of the independence of those colonies, this work is most humbly dedicated, by his Excellency’s very respectful servant Willem Holtrop. Raynal’s attribution of the leading roles in the adoption of the Declaration of Independence to John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and the two Adamses appeared on p. 76 of the Dutch edition.
2. See On the Abbé Raynal’s Révolution de l’Amérique, 22 Jan., below.
3. JA enclosed this letter in one to Jenings that has not been found (from Raynal, 18 Jan., below).
______________
No comments:
Post a Comment