John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. x 
peace made on such terms as would leave us dependent upon 
her, as would deprive us of the navigation of the Mississippi and 
of the Grand-Bank fisheries, limit our western border, and oblige 
us to treat without the preliminary acknowledgment of Inde- 
pendence. In his intercourse with Count de Vergennes, he 
signified plainly these impressions, and he was not therefore in 
favour with the cabinet of our ally; and Congress received 
an intimation, that it would be agreeable if Mr. Adams should be 
recalled. Congress declined recalling a minister in whom they 
had full confidence ; but so far conceded to the wishes of the 
French Court, as to join Dr. Franklin, Mr. Laurens, Mr. Jay, 
and Mr. Jefferson in the commission with Mr. Adams. 
A preliminary recognition of Independence was deemed 
essential, as confirming all the acts done in the course of the war, 
from the time of the declaration of that event by Congress. 
Mr. Adams continued in Holland till he had accomplished the 
loan in the autumn of 1782; and then repaired to assist in the 
negotiations for peace at Paris, the honourable and successful 
termination of which is familiar history. He had a fit of sickness 
the ensuing winter: on his recovery in the spring, he made a visit 
to England for health and the gratification of curiosity ; came back 
to Paris inthe autumn to complete the definitive treaty ; and had 
his residence the next year chiefly in France, being empowered, 
in concert with Dr. Franklin and Mr. Jefferson, to form commer- 
cial treaties with the powers of Europe. 
In the year 1785 he went to England, our first Minister Pleni- 
potentiary to Great Britain. Whilst Minister at the court of 
London, he published his “ Defence of the Constitutions of the 
United States,” designed to justify the constitutional division of 
power which prevailed in those forms of government. 
