Details
ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY, President. Autograph letter signed ("John Q. Adams") as Minister to Prussia, to Sylvanus Bourne, U.S. Consul at Amsterdam; Berlin, 22 November 1799. One page, 4to, address panel on verso in Adams's hand, traces of wax seal, repaired seal hole, neatly inlaid.
"PEACE MAY BE FOREVER ON THE LIPS OF BOTH PARTIES, BUT IT IS NOT IN THE HEART OF EITHER"
An interesting early letter in which Adams comments perceptively on the turbulent political situation in France, where two weeks earlier Napoleon Bonaparte had overthrown the ruling Directoire, and on its implications for the rest of Europe: "...The details of the new changes of Government and of governing men in France, have not yet reached us by the regular Post. That they will have a tendency to produce a general Peace is extremely to be doubted; partial negotiations for Peace they may produce, but the concentration of power in a few hands, rather indicates the design of commanding new, and extraordinary exertions than of relaxing towards the bounds of a practicable Peace. It is not probable that Prussia will interfere in any manner for the restoration of Peace, or that she could do much to bring it about were she ever so much inclined to attempt it. The two principles which are the foundation of the War remain in all their original inveteracy, aggravated on both sides by all the sufferings reciprocally inflicted, neither in the smallest degree subdued, and neither with any immediate prospect of complete victory over the other. In such a state, Peace may be forever upon the lips of both parties, but it is not in the heart of either..."
"PEACE MAY BE FOREVER ON THE LIPS OF BOTH PARTIES, BUT IT IS NOT IN THE HEART OF EITHER"
An interesting early letter in which Adams comments perceptively on the turbulent political situation in France, where two weeks earlier Napoleon Bonaparte had overthrown the ruling Directoire, and on its implications for the rest of Europe: "...The details of the new changes of Government and of governing men in France, have not yet reached us by the regular Post. That they will have a tendency to produce a general Peace is extremely to be doubted; partial negotiations for Peace they may produce, but the concentration of power in a few hands, rather indicates the design of commanding new, and extraordinary exertions than of relaxing towards the bounds of a practicable Peace. It is not probable that Prussia will interfere in any manner for the restoration of Peace, or that she could do much to bring it about were she ever so much inclined to attempt it. The two principles which are the foundation of the War remain in all their original inveteracy, aggravated on both sides by all the sufferings reciprocally inflicted, neither in the smallest degree subdued, and neither with any immediate prospect of complete victory over the other. In such a state, Peace may be forever upon the lips of both parties, but it is not in the heart of either..."