John Adams to Elbridge Gerry discussing his frustrations and doubts on a British commercial treaty - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02293
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1785
Title	John Adams to Elbridge Gerry discussing his frustrations and doubts on a British commercial treaty
Date	6 July 1785
Author	Adams, John (1735-1826)
Recipient	Elbridge, Gerry
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Written as U.S. Minister to Great Britain after formally presenting his credentials to George III. Enclosing letters (not included) "sent to Mr. Jay in Cypher." America had been flooded with British imports after the Revolution, but Congress was not permitted to enact protective tariffs. Instead, various states enacted tariffs.
Subjects	President Global History and Civics Immigration and Migration Treaty Commerce Merchants and Trade Codes and Signals Taxes or Taxation
People	Adams, John (1735-1826) Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814)
Place written	Westminster, England
Theme	Foreign Affairs; Merchants & Commerce; Government & Politics
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Grosvenor Square Westminster July 6. 1785 My dear Friend The inclosed Letters I sent to Mr. Jay in Cypher, but as the Conversations with the King and Queen have been reported by Lord Carmarthen and the Lord and Ladies in waiting on the Queen, and are become generally known, there is no longer a Necessity of so much mystery, yet you must be sensible of the Delicacy of the subject, and therefore communicate them with Discretion and in Confidence. if Mr. Jay should not have recd the originals in Cypher you may [struck: communicate] [inserted: deliver] these to him when you see him but I make no doubt he will receive them. The Dispositions of the Ministry, are either very deceitful or very good, but they are watched and embarrassed by oppositions of various Parties, that it will at least be long before they venture on any Thing decisive. They may do something to the Purpose sooner than I expect, but I see no present hope. I am much afraid there will be a necessity that the People of all the states should follow the Example at Fanuiel Hall. [2] But it cannot be too earnestly recommended to them to consider Persons and Property as Sacred. There is no Necessity of violating either. Petitions of the People to their Assemblies and Instructions from them to Congress will be Sufficient for all Good Purposes. With great Esteem, your Friend & Servant John Adams Mr Gerry

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